Reds can answer one of their biggest questions by trusting Sal Stewart right now

Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart is a budding young star. His two-run blast in extra-innings on Tuesday night against the San Diego Padres helped push the Reds to their first win in nearly a week, and the fiery young slugger showed his exuberance as he rounded the bases.

That game against the Friars marked just the third time this month Stewart has started at third base. While his time there has increased ever since third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes landed on the IL with a bulging disc in his back, Reds manager Terry Francona has still relied on Stewart to play multiple positions across the infield.

There's certainly some merit to that line of thinking, but perhaps it would behoove the Reds to just leave Stewart at third base. Though the plan heading into the season was for him to gain some meaningful time at first base, plans change, and the Reds might be able to solve a longstanding problem by leaving the rookie planted at the hot corner.

It's not as if the Reds don't have the means to cover first base. In addition to Stewart, Cincinnati also employs former Gold Glove Award-winner Nathaniel Lowe and Spencer Steer — a player who was Gold Glove finalist at the position last season. As far as defensive-minded first basemen go, the Reds have that angle covered.

Stewart has fared well as he adjusts to playing the position on the fly, but fans saw some defensive miscues from the young rookie during Monday's game against the Padres when he charged more than halfway across the diamond to field a bunt. He later mishandled what would've been a tough play at the plate that allowed the go-ahead run to score.

On the year, Stewart has committed just one error at the cold corner and is worth 0 defensive runs saved (DRS) and -1 outs above average (OAA). So it's not as if the 22-year-old is a bad defender. But given the current situation facing the Reds, it's time to see if he has what it takes to stick at third base over the long haul.

Reds need to see if Sal Stewart is the answer at third base

Any Reds fan with two eyes and brain can see that Hayes is not the long-term answer at third base. While his contract might suggest otherwise, Cincinnati may have to just bite the bullet on eat the remaining $30 million on that deal. The Reds traded for Hayes last summer, and while his defense at third base is exquisite, his bat makes his defensive accomplishments all for naught.

Stewart's different. You'll never confuse him for a two-time Gold Glove Award-winner, but he's likely to be a threat to hit 25-plus home runs every season. He has elite bat-to-ball skills, a keen eye at the plate, and the type of fire and passion that Reds fans absolutely love. If he can be even an average fielder at third base, the Reds might have finally solved one of the biggest problems.

Cincinnati hasn't had a steady presence at the hot corner since Eugenio Suárez was traded following the 2021 season. Since then, the fanbase has seen Hayes, Nick Senzel, Mike Moustakas, Jeimer Candelario, Kyle Farmer, Brandon Drury, Santiago Espinal, Gavin Lux, Noelvi Marte, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, JT Riddle, Kevin Newman, and Max Schrock all try their hand at third base.

Until Hayes is deemed healthy (and able to make a meaningful contribution at the plate), Stewart should be the Reds' primary third baseman. Sure, Suárez can give him a day off once a week, but Cincinnati has been gifted the perfect opportunity to see if they can finally fix one of the most glaring roster weaknesses facing the franchise for the past half-decade.

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