Outlook Sal Stewart
Rookie standout Sal Stewart looks to shake off a minor lull during a weekend homestand against Arizona.
Stewart has hit a brief speed bump, batting just .217 over his last six games, but he remains an indispensable asset for the fifth-place Reds (32-35). With superstar teammate Elly De La Cruz sidelined on the injured list, Cincinnati relies heavily on Stewart, who has locked down everyday duties as the team's primary third baseman.
The recent slowdown is a typical rookie adjustment phase, but Stewart's underlying profile is rock-solid. With 13 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and a healthy .258 average over 67 games, his year-to-date production mirrors our season-long projections of a .263 mark with 18 homers. His balanced spray chart and advanced plate approach show this breakout is no fluke.
With the week already underway, Stewart has three remaining home games against Arizona starting Friday. While his weekend begins with a challenging matchup against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and his elite 2.52 ERA, he will close the series against Michael Soroka and a struggling Zac Gallen, who carries a generous 5.81 ERA. Trust the rookie's power and deploy him as a weekly Start.
Updated 2 days ago
