CINCINNATI – When Reds top prospect Sal Stewart arrived at Great American Ball Park Monday for his first big league call-up, the slugging infielder was like he has always been in the Minors – confident and energetic.
"I would be, too, if I swung the bat like that," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "I think Sal's going to be good for us, I really do."
With Major League rosters allowed to expand by two players for September, the Reds called up Stewart from Triple-A Louisville. They also recalled right-handed reliever Yosver Zulueta from the Bats.
Stewart played first base vs. the Blue Jays and went 1-for-3 in the 5-4 win, which was capped by Noelvi Marte's walk-off two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Stewart exited for defense before the top of the eighth inning.
“I’m really happy for him," Marte said via translator Tomas Vera. "It was a great beginning for him. When you see him, he has a lot of confidence. He looked like he can bring a lot of energy to us. I don’t see any doubt that he can be successful.”
Stewart got his career off to a good start, following Gavin Lux's leadoff double in the second inning by lining a single to left field off Chris Bassitt in his first career at-bat. It came in a 3-1 count, right after Stewart took a timeout to reset.
“Honestly, I was just trying to compose myself, relax and be like, ‘It’s the same box, it’s the same game.’ Just compose myself, get back into it and go compete," Stewart said after the game.
Both runners scored on Ke'Bryan Hayes' double to the wall in left-center field. As the cut-off throw to the plate was short, Stewart easily crossed the plate with a slide. Once he got up, he excitedly yelled and put his arms in the air.
“Honestly, I don’t think I can say what I was yelling right now," Stewart said. "I was just fired up for the guys. I wanted to let them know I’m here for them. I want to play to win all the time. I was in the heat of the moment. First at-bat, first knock, ball in the game [and] I got to go score. So it was just a bunch of emotions. That’s who I am.”
"He seems like he’s a gamer," Hayes said. "I hear he works really hard. He knows that we’re fighting for something going down this last month. It’s great to have a guy like that in our lineup.”
A third baseman when taken 32nd overall in the 2022 Draft, Stewart also plays second base and recently took on first base.
"I’ll play the batter’s box," Stewart said before the game. "Wherever they want me, I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Whether that means first, second, third, DH, off the bench.
“We can make the playoffs. I firmly believe that, no matter how many games we’re out right now. My job is to go out there and help the team win any way I can. So wherever Tito puts me in the lineup, that’s where I’ll play, and I’ll do the best of my abilities.”
Stewart learned the promotion news from Louisville manager Pat Kelly during a team meeting on Sunday, but there was another surprise. A video welcoming Stewart to the big leagues featured his friend and mentor, Padres superstar Manny Machado.
"It was actually probably one of the best moments of my life," Stewart said. "They did a whole video for me and put it on the scoreboard in Louisville, and that was probably one of the best moments."
Stewart works out with Machado and former Reds first baseman Yonder Alonso during offseasons in Miami. They were among his many phone calls to friends and family on Sunday.
In 118 games this season for Double-A Chattanooga and Louisville, Stewart batted .309 with a .907 OPS, 20 home runs, 80 RBIs and 17 steals. In only 38 games and 165 plate appearances for Louisville, Stewart had already notched half of his season total in homers while posting a 1.023 OPS. The success came after a slow first week of production.
“Just realizing that the pitchers are going to come to me," Stewart said. "I don’t need to go out there and do anything different than what I usually do. My best is good enough. I just needed to make sure I controlled the zone and make the pitchers come to me. Once I did that, it was full go like I was in Double-A.”
Francona got his first in-person look at Stewart in Spring Training, which was the right-handed hitter's first big league camp.
"I think he's pretty advanced for a young hitter," Francona said. "He had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to do and why he wanted to do it.
“Young hitters that hit for power, they fall into that where they're trying to hit for power first. I think Sal learned how to hit first and was growing into power, which, in my opinion, is a really good way to do it."
The Reds already have established players at all of Stewart's positions, with Hayes at third base, Matt McLain at second and Spencer Steer at first. Steer, who was given the day off on Monday, has been playing through a sore quadriceps.
"I'm not going to forget the guys who have been grinding here because you can't do that – nor will I," Francona said.
Stewart began working at first base with Louisville after the Reds acquired Hayes, a 2023 National League Gold Glove Award winner with the Pirates who is signed through ‘29. Stewart made two starts, totaling 17 innings, at first with Louisville after working with coaches Bryan LaHair and Julio Morillo.
"It helped me tremendously," Stewart said. "Yonder, he played first here for the Reds. So I’m talking to him. He helped me tremendously. Just learning as the time goes on.”
The Reds (70-68), who remained four games behind the Mets (74-64) in the NL Wild Card race, have lacked power and home runs throughout this season as their offense battled with inconsistency.
Stewart could be an offensive jolt if he can adjust quickly from the Minors to the Majors.
“All my hard work paid off," Stewart said. "I’m super excited, but I’ve got to put those feelings aside a little bit because we’re going after something that these guys up here are all working hard for. Super excited, but focused on the goal.”