Sal Stewart is making a case for himself in Cincinnati, and the Reds might want to listen before it’s too late.
The rookie third baseman entered Friday’s game against Texas batting .474 with two home runs and a 1.563 OPS through his first handful of big league games. Not bad for a guy who was the 32nd overall pick just two years ago.
What makes Stewart different from other top prospects? He’s already graduated to the majors and showing a mature approach that’s catching attention around the league.
More importantly for Cincinnati’s front office, three other clubs just made moves that should have them thinking about thier own young star.
The extension wave hit hard this week:
- Seattle signed Colt Emerson to an eight-year, $95 million deal on Tuesday
- Pittsburgh locked up Konnor Griffin with a record nine-year, $140 million contract before his MLB debut Friday
- Milwaukee secured Cooper Pratt for eight years and $50.75 million on Friday
All three deals went to players who hadn’t established themselves in the majors yet. Stewart’s already batting cleanup and showing he belongs.
The 22-year-old Miami native signed for a $2.09 million bonus in 2022 and he’s currently playing on a $760,000 deal. His scouting report projects 25-plus home runs annually with solid defense at the hot corner.
Stewart opened the season 9-for-16 with two home runs and four runs scored through Friday’s game at Globe Life Field. That’s the kind of production that gets front offices nervous about waiting too long.
With team owners scrambling to lock up young talent before potential labor issues resurface this winter, Stewart could be next in line for a multi-year extension.
The question isn’t whether he deserves consideration. It’s how much longer Cincinnati wants to wait while watching other teams secure their future stars.
Stewart’s unique combination of power and contact skills has him projecting as a cornerstone player. At 22, he’s got plenty of team control years ahead, but that also means plenty of time for his price tag to keep climbing.
The way things are going, the Reds might want to start those conversations sooner rather than later.
