Reds Must Lock Up Sal Stewart Now

Why Stewart Could Be Cincinnati’s Next Cornerstone

The Reds already boast a promising young core that includes Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Sal Stewart. At 22 years old, Stewart is a third baseman who has shown a disciplined approach at the plate and emerging power. He impacts the game in multiple ways and brings a calm maturity rarely seen in players his age. Beyond raw stats, he balances professionalism with a quiet confidence that teammates appear to respect. His willingness to face the media after tough losses sets him apart from many peers.

Leadership in baseball isn’t always the loudest voice in the clubhouse. Stewart exemplifies a different brand of captaincy—preparing daily, accepting responsibility and setting standards quietly. The greatest Reds teams historically have featured players like Joe Morgan, whose leadership matched his talent, and Barry Larkin, who embodied professionalism on the 1990 championship squad. Those figures built a culture that emphasized consistency and accountability.

The Atlanta Braves have demonstrated how to secure cornerstone talent early. They signed Ronald Acuña Jr. to an eight‑year pact when he was just 21 and gave Michael Harris II an eight‑year extension at age 21 after only 71 major‑league games. Those moves were driven by belief in potential, character and work ethic rather than current statistical peaks. The same reasoning should apply to Stewart.

Sal Stewart is 22—prime age to lock down a long‑term deal before arbitration inflates his price. Waiting until he accrues marquee stats or the whole league starts noticing would only raise the cost for the Reds. A multi‑year commitment doesn’t guarantee a championship, but it showcases that Cincinnati has a blueprint and is willing to invest in its foundation. Locking Stewart up now would signal to fans and prospects that the organization knows how to build sustainable success.

The message to Cincinnati’s baseball fan base is clear: this organization intends to build, not just hope. Securing Stewart now proves the Reds have a strategy, know who they are anchoring around and are ready to invest early. That mindset mirrors how winning franchises historically develop lasting rosters. The next era of Reds baseball will depend on decisions like this—rooted in foresight and conviction.

Dennis Doyle lives in Anderson Township and is a member of the Enquirer Board of Contributors.