The Cincinnati Reds have taken a decisive step that could shape the final chapter of their 2025 season. With the promotion of Sal Stewart, one of the club’s top infield prospects, to Triple-A Louisville, the organization may be signaling a quiet but deliberate shift in strategy — one that strongly hints at a possible Major League debut come September.
Stewart, 21, has been turning heads all season with Double-A Chattanooga, posting a stellar .306/.377/.473 slash line while driving in 44 runs, belting 10 home runs, and swiping 13 bases. Beyond his offensive production, what makes Stewart especially intriguing is his composure at the plate — his 15.5% strikeout rate speaks to a level of plate discipline that is rare for a player his age.
His rising stock was further validated by his selection to the MLB Futures Game at Truist Park this past weekend, where he entered in the fifth inning and narrowly missed sending a ball over the wall in his lone at-bat. The performance, though brief, reinforced the growing belief that Stewart is inching closer to the majors.
Defensively, he’s made 67 starts at third base this season and has also seen some action at second, providing Cincinnati with flexibility as they consider future lineup configurations. With Christian Encarnacion-Strand also stationed in Triple-A, the Reds will now have an extended opportunity to evaluate how both players fit into the infield picture — not just in 2026, but potentially within the next few months.
This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. With MLB teams allowed to expand their active roster by two players in September, Stewart’s promotion appears to be more than just a reward for strong play — it’s a calculated setup. If Stewart continues to perform at the next level, he becomes a highly logical candidate for one of those coveted September call-ups.
And Stewart isn’t hiding his ambition.
“I’m here to make the big leagues this year,” he recently told Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Charlie Goldsmith. “I’m confident in what I can do. I know I can help the team win.”
That declaration now feels more prophetic than aspirational. The Reds, still searching for consistency in a season of ups and downs, could very well turn to Stewart if the trade deadline doesn’t bring the offensive help they need.
Sal Stewart’s journey to the big leagues may soon be complete — and if his time in Louisville mirrors what he’s done in Chattanooga, fans in Cincinnati might be welcoming a fresh, young spark at just the right time.
