Rookie Set To Bat Cleanup

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Dateline: Goodyear, Arizona

Sal Stewart doesn't know he's a rookie according to manager Terry Francona.

Like a rookie from Francona's past, Dustin Pedroia of the 2007 World Championship Boston Red Sox, Stewart has an abundance of confidence. He is not arrogant, he just believes in his abilities.

Francona trusts him enough to bat him cleanup behind Elly De La Cruz to start the season with Eugenio Suarez behind Stewart. That has been the lineup since Suarez returned from the World Baseball Classic.

"I reserve the right to draw a lineup up that day," Francona cautioned. "I may change my mind on the plane but the reason that we're doing it is we think it gives Geno (Eugenio Suarez) a chance to drive in more runs. I think with Elly hitting third, when we separate things with strikeouts, but we also have a guy that can trail Elly. Geno can cleanup some of the mess there. That's the idea. Me and Freddie (Benavides) and Nap (Mike Napoli) have talked through that a lot. It gives us a chance to be more productive for us. It is not an indictment on Geno."

One of the emphasis this spring has been to approve base running. Stewart as an example, in the game against the Chicago White Sox, Stewart ended up on third base when De La Cruz was caught in a rundown between third and home.

De La Cruz had just tripled with no outs. Stewart hit a one hop back to the pitcher. Stewart ran hard to first as De La Cruz broke toward home. Pitcher Sean Newcome put De La Cruz in a pickle. Stewart didn't just stroll to second. He ran hard to third. He scored a pitch or two later on a wild pitch the catcher blocked in front of the plate. He read the ball as the catcher had to retrieve the ball in fair territory.

"Sal has run the bases so well this spring," Francona said.

First of all, Stewart has been on base 47 percent of the time.

"I think Geno will have more RBI," Francona said.

When the Reds signed Suarez, it was good news for Francona. He pointed out that when he put some in the cleanup spot last season and the player struggled, they would show frustration.

"Sal's not putting his head down, ever," Francona acknowledged. "It is a pretty good compliment to Sal."

Stewart was not quite ready last spring even though he impressed people in camp. "He is going to be a good major league hitter some day, we just don't know when," Francona said.

Stewart went to the minor leagues, starting in Double A Chattanooga. He hit .306 with 19 doubles and 10 home runs. He drove in 44 in 80 games. His on-base-percentage was .377. The Reds promoted him to Triple A Louisville, where he played 38 games, hitting even better at a .315 clip with 15 doubles and 10 home runs. 

The Reds promoted him to make his big league debut on September first against the Toronto Blue Jays. He started the game at first base. Stewart played first base for the first time in that game. Coming up through the minor leagues, he played second and third base. 

At 21 years old, Stewart became the youngest position player to play in the postseason in Reds' history. He played both games of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is the youngest overall since Manny Sarmiento pitched in Game 4 of the 1976 World Series at the age of 20.

Stewart who works out in the off season with San Diego Padres star, Manny Machado, has trimmed some fat during the off season.

He's played second base, third base and first base this spring.

"We've played him more at first base this spring because that is where he's had the least experience," Francona said.

Stewart performed well all spring. Although spring training results can be deceiving, the young right handed hitter is hitting, .357 in 17 games going into the last Cactus League game against the Cleveland Guardians. He has been on base at a .471 rate. His slugging percentage is .667 with four doubles, three home runs and eight RBI. He collected four stolen bases without being caught. He has walked more times, nine than he's struck out, seven. 

His eye at the plate is so good, he has won several challenges through the ABS system this spring.