Inside The Reds

Reds Top Prospect Ready to Break Out in 2026

He appeared in 18 games for the Reds last season.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (43) hits a two-RBI single in the first inning of the MLB National League Wild Card Game 2 between the Cincinnati Reds and LA Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (43) hits a two-RBI single in the first inning of the MLB National League Wild Card Game 2 between the Cincinnati Reds and LA Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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The Reds hope to have a new and improved offense in 2026 with a full year of top prospect Sal Stewart and the addition of Eugenio Suarez, Dane Myers, and others.

ESPN.com's Kiley McDaniel picked a player from each team who is most likely to breakout in 2026.

For the Reds, that player is rookie Sal Stewart.

"The Reds have three good candidates for this list in Stewart and highly drafted righties Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder," McDaniel wrote.

"Some evaluators believe Stewart can be a star offensively, though I don't think fans realize this, while Burns making the leap is much more expected. Lowder was expected to become a midrotation type in the big leagues last season, but he was sidelined most of the year."

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Sal Stewart has all the tools that make a great hitter. He is patient and confident at the plate. He has big power, but is also willing to take the ball the other way on a two-strike pitch. He's the kind of player you feel confident in when he's walking up to the plate.

After losing more than 25 pounds this offseason, Stewart has picked up this spring right where he left off last season, slashing .308/.400/.577 with three extra-base hits and four walks.

If Stewart continues to hit like he's shown thus far, the Reds offense has more upside than people might realize.

You can see McDaniel's full list here.

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Greg Kuffner
GREG KUFFNER

Greg Kuffner a contributor to Reds On SI. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and worked for the Sports Information Department during his time as a student. He follows all things Reds year round, including the minor league system.

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