Sal Stewart arrived early to Spring Training this week following an intense offseason program that focused on slimming down and speeding up for 2026.After an astronomical rise last year, going from the Reds’ Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the big leagues in Cincinnati over the course of just a few months, Stewart is now the frontrunner to become the Reds’ starting first baseman this season. Stewart, a native of Miami, Florida, was the Reds’ top minor-league prospect last year, after having been drafted by the team in 2022 and spending several years with Cincinnati’s minor league affiliate teams.Now, after the Reds recently went to the postseason for the first time in a full-length season since 2013, Stewart says that he has taken steps to help boost his diet and workout routine during the offseason so that he can perform at his best, a regimen which resulted in him losing over 25 pounds.”(I was) trying to listen to my nutritionist, whatever they had planned for me,” said Stewart of what he has done so far during the offseason to get ready for Opening Day. “My uncle helped me tremendously as well. Just listening to what they had to say. We did some blood tests so we could see what was good for my body and what wasn’t. I am super grateful for that, and I was super tedious in the way I was handling my nutrition. I am super happy with that.”Stewart also says that he is happy with how his physical training regimen has been going over the past few months.”I have just been with my trainer now for 11 years. I trust him and his plan for me,” said Stewart. “We talk and we devise a plan that is going to be beneficial for me. I was super happy with how the offseason went. I am super excited, I feel ready.”At just 22, Stewart says that he has big aspirations for where his future MLB career may lead him and that he hopes his 2025 season will be just the tip of the iceberg for what fans can expect from him in the future.”I want to be great. I don’t want to just be good,” said Stewart. “I want to be someone that people, like, remember forever.” However, Stewart also says that his motivations for wanting to be successful are personal as well.”I want to take care of my family,” said Stewart. “I want them to never have to work again. Making (the big leagues) doesn’t do anything for me; I want to be in this game for 20 plus years. That is how I am wired, and I won’t ever change.”In the minor leagues, Stewart routinely played at third base. However, after a rotating cast of players was stationed at third base in Cincinnati’s games throughout the 2025 season, the Reds eventually settled on Gold Glove Award winner Ke’Bryan Hayes as their primary third baseman to close out the final months of the season. Because of this, when Stewart made his debut late in the season, he was instead put at first base. Now, the position appears poised to routinely become his new home on the diamond for 2026.”Most of my work was done in the offseason, kind of when no one was watching,” said Stewart. “Freddie (Benavides) came down in the offseason to help me. Nap (Mike Napoli) always helps me. Yonder (Alonso) always helps me. The bulk of my work has been done, and now I just have to continue to get better every day, but I learned the basics of it; now it is just improving where I am at. Obviously, I am still getting some grounders at third (base) and second (base) as well, so where Tito wants me, I will do it.”In addition to Stewart, new team acquisition Eugenio Suarez is another Reds player who has generated significant buzz as being a potential key to the Reds’ success for the 2026 season. Suarez was the fifth-leading home run hitter across Major League Baseball last season, with a total of 49 in the regular season, and an additional three in his postseason run with the Seattle Mariners. Suarez also has more experience than most on the roster with training in Goodyear, having previously played for Cincinnati between 2015 and 2021. Stewart says that he has so far enjoyed his time practicing with Suarez.”He is awesome,” said Stewart. “He is a great teammate, too. Obviously, a great player, but a great teammate and super fortunate he is on our team. We are lucky to have him.”Additionally, it is no secret in Goodyear that if the Reds manage to make another postseason run this year, shortstop Elly De La Cruz is likely to be another pivotal reason behind it. De La Cruz finished the 2025 season as the Reds’ team home run leader, with a total of 22, and leader in RBIs at 86. Stewart says that he is excited to see what De La Cruz can carry over onto the field for next season.”Everyone knows who he is and who he can be,” said Stewart.” “He has so much talent to tap into, it is not even funny. There is a reason he is the face on MLB The Show video game. He is exciting to watch. I am super excited for him to have a great season and I know he will.”Stewart says that his understanding is clear with Reds manager Terry Francona: He is ready to show up every day and give his all once Opening Day comes around in March.”He doesn’t need to tell me (anything),” said Stewart. “I need to show up and earn what I get. I am excited to go do that and I worked hard for that. I am ready.”
GOODYEAR, Ariz. —
Sal Stewart arrived early to Spring Training this week following an intense offseason program that focused on slimming down and speeding up for 2026.
After an astronomical rise last year, going from the Reds’ Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the big leagues in Cincinnati over the course of just a few months, Stewart is now the frontrunner to become the Reds’ starting first baseman this season.
Stewart, a native of Miami, Florida, was the Reds’ top minor-league prospect last year, after having been drafted by the team in 2022 and spending several years with Cincinnati’s minor league affiliate teams.
Now, after the Reds recently went to the postseason for the first time in a full-length season since 2013, Stewart says that he has taken steps to help boost his diet and workout routine during the offseason so that he can perform at his best, a regimen which resulted in him losing over 25 pounds.
“(I was) trying to listen to my nutritionist, whatever they had planned for me,” said Stewart of what he has done so far during the offseason to get ready for Opening Day. “My uncle helped me tremendously as well. Just listening to what they had to say. We did some blood tests so we could see what was good for my body and what wasn’t. I am super grateful for that, and I was super tedious in the way I was handling my nutrition. I am super happy with that.”
Stewart also says that he is happy with how his physical training regimen has been going over the past few months.
“I have just been with my trainer now for 11 years. I trust him and his plan for me,” said Stewart. “We talk and we devise a plan that is going to be beneficial for me. I was super happy with how the offseason went. I am super excited, I feel ready.”
At just 22, Stewart says that he has big aspirations for where his future MLB career may lead him and that he hopes his 2025 season will be just the tip of the iceberg for what fans can expect from him in the future.
“I want to be great. I don’t want to just be good,” said Stewart. “I want to be someone that people, like, remember forever.”
However, Stewart also says that his motivations for wanting to be successful are personal as well.
“I want to take care of my family,” said Stewart. “I want them to never have to work again. Making (the big leagues) doesn’t do anything for me; I want to be in this game for 20 plus years. That is how I am wired, and I won’t ever change.”
In the minor leagues, Stewart routinely played at third base. However, after a rotating cast of players was stationed at third base in Cincinnati’s games throughout the 2025 season, the Reds eventually settled on Gold Glove Award winner Ke’Bryan Hayes as their primary third baseman to close out the final months of the season. Because of this, when Stewart made his debut late in the season, he was instead put at first base. Now, the position appears poised to routinely become his new home on the diamond for 2026.
“Most of my work was done in the offseason, kind of when no one was watching,” said Stewart. “Freddie (Benavides) came down in the offseason to help me. Nap (Mike Napoli) always helps me. Yonder (Alonso) always helps me. The bulk of my work has been done, and now I just have to continue to get better every day, but I learned the basics of it; now it is just improving where I am at. Obviously, I am still getting some grounders at third (base) and second (base) as well, so where Tito wants me, I will do it.”
In addition to Stewart, new team acquisition Eugenio Suarez is another Reds player who has generated significant buzz as being a potential key to the Reds’ success for the 2026 season. Suarez was the fifth-leading home run hitter across Major League Baseball last season, with a total of 49 in the regular season, and an additional three in his postseason run with the Seattle Mariners. Suarez also has more experience than most on the roster with training in Goodyear, having previously played for Cincinnati between 2015 and 2021. Stewart says that he has so far enjoyed his time practicing with Suarez.
“He is awesome,” said Stewart. “He is a great teammate, too. Obviously, a great player, but a great teammate and super fortunate he is on our team. We are lucky to have him.”
Additionally, it is no secret in Goodyear that if the Reds manage to make another postseason run this year, shortstop Elly De La Cruz is likely to be another pivotal reason behind it. De La Cruz finished the 2025 season as the Reds’ team home run leader, with a total of 22, and leader in RBIs at 86. Stewart says that he is excited to see what De La Cruz can carry over onto the field for next season.
“Everyone knows who he is and who he can be,” said Stewart.” “He has so much talent to tap into, it is not even funny. There is a reason he is the face on MLB The Show video game. He is exciting to watch. I am super excited for him to have a great season and I know he will.”
Stewart says that his understanding is clear with Reds manager Terry Francona: He is ready to show up every day and give his all once Opening Day comes around in March.
“He doesn’t need to tell me (anything),” said Stewart. “I need to show up and earn what I get. I am excited to go do that and I worked hard for that. I am ready.”