The Cincinnati Reds earned a 3-2 victory in their spring training game against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Cincinnati's young stars led the charge in the contest, as Nick Lodolo and Sal Stewart both impressed.

Stewart is the Reds' No. 1 overall prospect. He is also one of the better young prospect hitters in the game. If he plays up to his potential, Stewart could realistically earn the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2026. 

As for Lodolo, he's a guy who has displayed signs of promise in the past. He had a breakout performance in 2025, and he could be even better in 2026.

So, what exactly did Stewart and Lodolo accomplish on Wednesday against the White Sox?

Stewart went 1-3 at the plate. He may have had only one hit, but the infielder made the most of it by crushing a 440 foot home run.

Lodolo, meanwhile, started the game and turned in two scoreless innings. He also struck out four batters, allowed two hits and did not surrender any walks in the game. Cincinnati's bullpen followed Lodolo's effort with an all-around strong performance.

The Reds feature an overall talented group of young players on the roster. Elly De La Cruz has the ceiling of an MVP candidate. Hunter Greene is a top 10 starting pitcher in baseball.

Every up and coming ball club needs a legitimate core of young stars, though. There can't be just a couple of players with potential. Lodolo and Stewart will only help Greene and De La Cruz lead in 2026. 

Bringing in veteran Eugenio Suarez this past offseason was a terrific move for multiple reasons. The obvious reason is that Suarez crushed 49 home runs a season ago. Cincinnati's lineup needed power, and Suarez provides plenty of it from the right side of the plate. His veteran leadership will also be important, though.

Manager Terry Francona's presence must be acknowledged as well. The future Hall of Fame manager is one of the best leaders in recent memory.

Overall, the Reds are one of the most intriguing teams in the sport heading into 2026. Cincinnati knows its established stars will make significant impacts, but big performances from Sal Stewart and Nick Lodolo will help the team reach the next level. 

The Reds' next game in spring training is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 PM EST.