MLB fans may have missed the news of a three-team trade that was made during the outrage over the Kyle Tucker news, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The trade didn't include any superstars, but it is highly significant because it opens the door for the Cincinnati Reds top prospect to get more at-bats. In the trade:
- The Reds received LHP Brock Burke
- The Rays received IF Gavin Lux, RHP Chris Clark
- The Angels received OF Josh Lowe
The move of Lux by the Reds was not entirely to get a pitching prospect, but was to free up space for Sal Stewart to receive more at-bats. Lux blocked Stewart at the DH position; however, they likely would have had a platoon situation. Lux struggles against left-handed pitchers, which is where Stewart would have received his playing time. The trade now gives the Reds' top prospect a firm grasp of the DH role full-time.
Stewart has had an impressive minor-league career. The Reds drafted him in the 2022 draft as the 32nd overall pick and quickly made his way through the minors. Last season, he made appearances in Double-A and Triple-A, where he hit a combined.309/.383/.524, with 20 home runs, 78 runs, 80 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases.
He made a brief appearance at the MLB level as a September call-up in 2025. He slashed.255/.293/.545, hit five home runs, 11 runs, and eight RBIs. It was a semi-successful debut, but he struggled with striking out. He had a career-high 25.9 strikeout percentage. Stewart also had a career-worst.257 BABIP.
As the debut didn't fully live up to the hype, the prospect has been able to train this offseason, knowing where he will begin next season. Batting in the middle of a sneaky good Reds' lineup could lead to Stewart winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Reds fans already know what Stewart possesses, but the rest of MLB will soon find out.