Sal Stewart's Clutch Performances Fuel Reds' Recent Turnaround

While Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart currently has the second-best odds in the NL Rookie of the Year race, just behind JJ Wetherholt, he has had an up-and-down season after winning NL Rookie of the Month honors for March and April.

After hitting .563 in March, he hit .235 in April, .240 in May, .248 in June and is now hitting .224 in July, bringing his batting average to .253.

Through all of that, Sal Stewart has hit 21 home runs, which leads the Reds. He also has 76 RBIs, which ranks first on the team, 29 ahead of Elly De La Cruz, who currently has 47 RBIs.

Since the All-Star break, Stewart has been trending upward, and it seems a hot streak could be on the horizon. He has recorded hits in five of his last eight games and has delivered several big moments for Cincinnati over the past two weeks. Stewart hit a crucial three-run home run to give the Reds the lead in a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners, clinching the series in the rubber game.

He then added a key insurance run in the Reds' victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Despite not starting Sunday, Stewart entered in the 10th inning as a pinch hitter. On a full count, Stewart lined a single to the opposite field, scoring Tyler Stephenson and giving Cincinnati a 3-2 lead. The Reds went on to win 5-3 for their third consecutive series victory.

Stewart's offensive numbers aren't overwhelming by any means, but if you're a Reds fan who has watched the team consistently, there's no doubting the impact he has had as he makes his case to be the club's best offensive player. His approach is stellar. Stewart uses the entire field and can hit virtually any pitch in the strike zone. He also hit a big sacrifice fly against the Mariners on a pitch that was nearly a foot above the strike zone and inside.

If the Reds want to continue this turnaround, they need even more production from Stewart, who has just two two-hit games in July despite posting a .799 OPS on the season. It feels like there is more in the tank for Stewart. Paired with Elly De La Cruz, who is hitting .297 with a .929 OPS in July, Stewart could help make the Reds' lineup even more dangerous, as a continued turnaround could throw into question their initial plan of selling at the trade deadline.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →