Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Westminster Christian School in the Miami area has generated some serious baseball talent over the years, led by Alex Rodriguez, and most recently, Royals prospect MJ Melendez. Stewart could be next in line in terms of hitters with thump to come from the school after showing off his hit and power tools over the summer. That included advancing in MLB’s High School All-American Game Home Run Derby, allowing him to take hacks during the big league Derby over the All-Star break in Denver. This spring, he’s proven to be one of the better pure high school bats in the class.

Most of Stewart’s value comes from his right-handed bat. He has the chance to hit with a solid approach at the plate and legitimate raw power he already knows how to tap into. Some scouts think he’s power over hit, but there’s plenty of belief he’ll hit enough to get to the power consistently at the next level. While he’s a below-average runner, he’s more athletic than you’d think given his size for someone who just recently stopped playing basketball at a competitive level.

The lack of speed has led some to wonder where Stewart will play defensively long-term, with some thinking he might eventually have to move to first base. But his feet work fine and he has enough arm to start out as a third baseman, if a team can sign him away from his commitment to Vanderbilt.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

The first two picks the Reds made in the 2022 Draft were high-school-aged third basemen. Cam Collier, who had reclassified and went to junior college, went No. 18 overall. Stewart came 14 picks later, the pick the Reds got for Nick Castellanos signing with the Phillies. Stewart’s feel for hitting was apparent throughout his first full season as he earned a promotion from Single-A Daytona to High-A Dayton to finish the season.

A baseball rat, Stewart loves to work on his game, and he’s already showing he can really hit. He has impressive bat-to-ball skills and a very advanced approach, walking more than he struck out in 2023. It’s loud contact with high exit velocities and he started to tap into his raw power. More of that is likely to come as he progresses, with confidence he’s never going to need to sell out or sacrifice his approach for power.

Stewart played basketball in high school, and the Reds have been pleasantly surprised with his overall athleticism and footwork. He does have below-average speed but has made efforts to rework his body. He split time with Collier at third base with Daytona but also got some time at second, something the Reds plan on continuing to keep him as athletic as possible. His bat will carry him to the big leagues, and he could really take off in 2024.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

The Reds went hard after hitters at the top of the 2022 Draft, taking four position players in the top 75 overall picks. The first two were super-young, with Cam Collier going in the first round and the Reds hitting the Florida high school market to take Stewart No. 32 overall. He made his brief pro debut in the Arizona Complex League last summer, showing off the advanced bat that made him an intriguing Draft prospect in the first place.

Stewart has the chance to be an impact offensive player. The right-handed hitter has a very good approach at the plate with a knack for finding the barrel and making loud contact to all fields. He has very impressive raw power, the ball jumps off his bat in batting practice, and he showed off the pop at events like the MLB High School Home Run Derby in Denver in 2021. He’s a student of the craft and always wants extra swings while bringing a ton of life, energy and personality in and around the cage.

While Stewart’s physically mature frame and below-average speed have some predicting a move from third to a first base-only future, he’s more athletic and has better footwork than expected, thanks perhaps to his background as a high school basketball player. He’s taken ground balls at second since joining the Reds and while that’s unlikely to be a permanent home, don’t be surprised to see him move around a little, especially with Collier soaking up a lot of time at the hot corner.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Westminster Christian School in the Miami area has generated some serious baseball talent over the years, led by Alex Rodriguez, and most recently, Royals catcher MJ Melendez. Stewart could be next in line in terms of hitters with thump to come from the school who make it to the big leagues. He showed off his hit and power tools all last summer, including advancing in MLB’s High School All-American Game Home Run Derby, allowing him to take hacks during the big league Derby over the All-Star break in Denver. This past spring, after proving to be one of the better pure high school bats in the class, Stewart went No. 32 overall to the Reds, who signed him for $2.1 million.

Most of Stewart’s value comes from his right-handed bat. He has a solid approach at the plate and the chance to hit with legitimate raw power he already knows how to tap into. Some scouts think he’s power over hit, but there’s plenty of belief he’ll hit enough to get to the power consistently at the next level. While he’s a below-average runner, he’s more athletic than you’d think given his size for someone who just recently stopped playing basketball at a competitive level.

The lack of speed has led some to wonder where Stewart will play defensively long-term, with some thinking he might eventually have to move to first base. But his feet work fine and he has enough arm to start out as a third baseman, which is where the Reds have positioned Stewart in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League to start his career.

Awards

MID Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Baseball America Low Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2023

FSL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/24/2024	Dayton Dragons activated 3B Sal Stewart from the 7-day injured list.
	07/17/2024	Dayton Dragons placed 3B Sal Stewart on the 7-day injured list.
	07/17/2024	Dayton Dragons placed 3B Sal Stewart on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Cincinnati Reds Prospects activated 3B Sal Stewart.
	02/26/2024	3B Sal Stewart assigned to Cincinnati Reds.
	08/08/2023	3B Sal Stewart assigned to Dayton Dragons from Daytona Tortugas.
	08/08/2023	Dayton Dragons activated 3B Sal Stewart.
	04/04/2023	3B Sal Stewart assigned to Daytona Tortugas from ACL Reds.
	08/08/2022	3B Sal Stewart assigned to ACL Reds.
	07/22/2022	Cincinnati Reds signed 3B Sal Stewart.
	09/23/2021	3B Sal Stewart and assigned to National.
	08/18/2021	3B Sal Stewart and assigned to PG East.
	07/13/2021	PG National 10 - Royal activated 3B Sal Stewart.
	07/08/2021	National activated 3B Sal Stewart.
	07/08/2021	National activated 3B Sal Stewart.
	06/04/2021	High School Workout activated 3B Sal Stewart.