Sal Stewart's move to first base won’t fix the Reds’ biggest roster weakness

The Cincinnati Reds are on the verge of calling up their No. 1 prospect, Sal Stewart; and for good reason. The 21-year-old infielder has been obliterating minor league pitching all season, and his recent promotion to Triple-A Louisville hasn’t slowed him down a bit.

Stewart is slashing .337/.400/.674 with 12 doubles and six home runs. It’s the kind of production that screams “major-league ready,” and the Reds seem eager to find him a spot.

Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall recently hinted that Stewart will start taking reps at first base, giving Cincinnati yet another infield option. Stewart already plays third base regularly and gets occasional work at second, making him a versatile piece the Reds can plug in wherever needed.

Sal Stewart’s call-up should target Reds’ weakest infield bat

But first base isn’t exactly where the Reds’ biggest offensive hole is. Yes, Spencer Steer’s numbers (.238/.300/.394, 14 HR, 57 RBI, 0.4 WAR) are nothing to throw a parade over. He’s been a league-average bat at best this year, but he’s at least been serviceable. His power plays. He drives in runs. He’s capable of delivering in big spots, even if he’s not carrying the lineup. Steer also plays elite-level defense at first base.

The real offensive liability has been Matt McLain. McLain’s 2025 season has been one long attempt to “find it again” — and he still hasn’t. Through mid-August, he’s hitting .224/.304/.339 with 11 home runs and just 39 RBIs. That’s a .643 OPS from a second baseman who was supposed to be a table-setter and run-producer.

Sure, McLain’s batting average has ticked up in August (.257), but that comes with a hollow stat line of just 3 RBI for the month and 13 strikeouts. There’s no slump here anymore, it’s a season-long reality. 

If the Reds truly want Stewart to have an instant impact, slotting him in at first base just shuffles around a problem they’ve been continuously working around. Putting him at second base, however, could give them the offensive spark they’ve been missing all season.

The truth is, replacing Steer’s production at first base won’t move the needle much. Replacing McLain’s production at second base? That could be the difference between a late-season surge and another October spent at home.

The Reds’ front office may see Stewart’s defensive versatility as a luxury. Right now, it should be seen as an opportunity to address the one infield spot that’s been dragging this lineup down.

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