Reds' Sal Stewart crushes 108.6 MPH home run

The young slugger's prodigious power is on full display early in the season.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:50am

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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Sal Stewart hit a towering home run on Saturday that left the bat at an astounding 108.6 mph, showcasing his immense raw power. Despite appearing to be jammed on the inside pitch from Sonny Gray, the 23-year-old Stewart was still able to launch the ball over the center field wall, further cementing his status as one of the most promising young power hitters in baseball.

Why it matters

Stewart's eye-popping home run is an early indication that the Reds have a potential star on their hands. The team is looking to build around the young slugger's bat, and performances like this one demonstrate why he has drawn so much praise from manager Terry Francona and others around the league.

The details

In the game against the Cleveland Guardians, Stewart got a tailing fastball on the inner half of the plate from veteran pitcher Sonny Gray. Visually, the pitch appeared to jam Stewart, but the young outfielder still managed to turn on it and launch a towering fly ball that left his bat at 108.6 mph. The ball carried well over the center field wall, showcasing Stewart's immense raw power.

  • On March 25, 2026, Reds manager Terry Francona praised Stewart's potential during spring training.

The players

Sal Stewart

A 23-year-old outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds who is considered one of the team's top young power-hitting prospects.

Sonny Gray

A veteran pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians who faced off against Stewart in the game.

Terry Francona

The manager of the Cincinnati Reds who has expressed high praise for Stewart's potential.

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What they’re saying

“The kid has immensely special power and bat skills. He'll still likely have growing pains. But this is a guy the Reds look like they'll be able to build around. You don't hit home runs like that unless there's a special layer to your game.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

What’s next

Stewart will look to build on his strong start to the season as the Reds aim to compete in the NL Central division.

The takeaway

Sal Stewart's monstrous 108.6 mph home run is a tantalizing glimpse of the young slugger's immense power potential, which the Reds organization is hoping can anchor their lineup for years to come.