Sal Stewart Jr is off to a hot start and is positioning himself for possible candidate for the Rookie of the Year in the National League. The Cuban-American slugger has opened up the season slashing. 353/.476/.618/1.094 with two longballs and five runs batted in.
Stewart’s opening week left him with Player of the Week honors in the National League and although he still is a rookie by MLB rules he was an integral part of Cincinnati reaching the playoffs late last season. Over a key 18 game stretch in 2025 he swatted five homeruns and knocked eight runs to aid the Reds offense.
In the 2025 postseason he was just as dynamic hitting a robust .400 and driving in four runs in a two game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Stewart, who is the team’s #1 prospect looks to be a cornerstone for Cincinnati for years to come and if the planets align the infielder might be a key piece for Cuba in the next World Baseball Classic.
You’ve gotten off to a great start this season. How has the offseason workouts helped you in that?
I’m confident in my off season routine and I’m confident that my trainers and everyone around me puts me in a good position.
Last night you get a key hit and an RBI at home. How did that make you feel in front of your home crowd?
It was awesome. It was a really cool moment and something I’ll never forget.
You hit a home run against Cuba in the preparation games for WBC. Being of Cuban descent how did that make you feel?
Yeah, it was good. You know, I felt like that was a moment big for my family, especially for my dad that came and all my family members, my grandparents and I hope that they’re free soon. I hope they us free soon. You know, I really want to go back and I want to see where my dad’s from. I’d love to play for them in the future, but only if they become free because I know what my dad went through to get over here and to build the life that he did for himself and for myself.
Is winning the Rookie of the Year a goal for you this season?
Yeah, I don’t see why not. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be a goal. So I try to strive for greatness and I try to strive for everything I can achieve. So it’s not my main goal, but obviously something I love to win.