Sal Stewart gets Reds call‑up as Cincinnati pushes for wild‑card spot

On September 1, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds added their most‑hyped prospect to the big‑league roster, a move that could shake up a club clawing for a wild‑card berth. The 21‑year‑old infielder, drafted 32nd overall in 2022, joins pitcher Yosver Zulueta as the Reds expand to 28 players for their series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Why the call‑up matters

For a team that has been flat‑lining offensively—fourth‑lowest slugging percentage in the majors since July and a paltry .127 ISO—the Reds need a jolt. Sal Stewart offers exactly that blend of power and discipline that has been missing from the lineup. In 38 games at Triple‑A Louisville, he posted a .315/.394/.629 slash line, belted 10 homers, drove in 36 runs and stole four bases. Across the entire 2025 minor‑league season he compiled 20 home runs and 17 steals, with 25 extra‑base hits in Louisville alone.

MLB Pipeline currently ranks him as the No. 31 prospect in all of baseball and the top talent in Cincinnati’s farm system. His versatility is a coach’s dream: he’s logged time at third base, second base, and first base, proving he can slot in wherever the major‑league club needs help.

Implications for the Reds’ wild‑card push

The timing is crucial. Entering the Monday game, Cincinnati sat four games behind the New York Mets in the NL wild‑card race. A win‑or‑lose scenario is looming as the regular season winds down. Adding Stewart provides the Reds with a potential everyday bat that can produce extra‑base hits and add depth to an infield that has struggled to find consistency.

• Power potential: 10 HRs in 165 PA at Triple‑A translates to a projected 30‑plus homers over a full MLB season if he maintains his swing speed.
• Plate discipline: A .394 on‑base percentage suggests he can draw walks and keep the lineup moving, addressing the team’s low ISO.
• Defensive flexibility: Ability to play 1B, 2B, and 3B gives manager David Bell options to shuffle the roster without sacrificing defense.

Fans have been vocal about wanting to see Stewart in a Reds uniform for months, so the decision also carries a public‑relations boost. Still, questions linger: Will he start at third base, where the Reds have underperformed, or slide into a bench role until the regulars slump? The front office appears ready to gamble, banking on his minor‑league track record to translate quickly.

Stewart’s own reaction was pure excitement. "It means everything to me," he told MiLB.com. "I’ve been working my whole life for this, and it’s right in front of me. I see a lot of playoff appearances in the future, and I know what I can bring to the table." The confidence he exudes hints at a player who believes he can handle the pressure of a stretch‑run, and the Reds hope his arrival will be the spark that turns a sub‑par offense into a contender.