The Cincinnati Reds made a Sal Stewart change on Saturday.
The Cincinnati Reds are looking to snap their three-game losing streak as they prepare for Saturday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. They will do so with a notable defensive adjustment involving their best hitter, Sal Stewart.
Stewart has been the most consistent force in the Reds lineup this season thus far leading the team to an 8-6 record, but the club made a small yet interesting change ahead of the game.
The Reds announced their lineup for Saturday’s game against the Angels and Stewart was hitting in his typical fourth spot in the batting order. However, he had moved over to second base for the first time this year.
Left-handed slugger Nathaniel Lowe took over his usual spot at first base. It marked the first time all season that Stewart was not stationed at first, where he had started all 14 games before Saturday.
For Cincinnati, the position change does not alter Stewart’s importance. As long as he is in the lineup, the Reds know they are getting elite production. Stewart has clearly been the team’s best hitter through the first two weeks of the season and is the early frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year.
At this pace, he is also playing himself into NL MVP consideration and looks like a strong candidate to make the All-Star team for the first time in his career.
Stewart has posted a .340 batting average, .458 on base percentage, 1.138 OPS, four home runs, nine RBIs and three stolen bases. He is only in his second season with the Reds but still maintains rookie eligibility because he appeared in just 18 games last year. His rapid rise has made him one of the most important young players in the organization.
The Reds are looking to make a second straight trip to the MLB playoffs, and if they do, Stewart will be a central reason why. His bat has carried the offense, but he will need more help around him. Cincinnati has really struggled to generate consistent production outside of Stewart, which has been a recurring issue for the team.
Stewart was the Reds first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and is viewed as a key piece of the franchise’s future. He is not eligible for free agency until 2032, giving Cincinnati a long runway to build around him as he continues to establish himself as one of the league’s brightest young stars.