Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'

March 17, 2025

PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between

PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect.

On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between second and third base, but still beat the relay throw with a headfirst slide for a two-run triple.

Stewart, who is ranked No. 3 in the organization and No. 83 overall by MLB Pipeline, pounded his chest toward the visitor's dugout and yelled, "Let's go!"

"It means a lot to us and our organization," said Stewart, a third baseman who was the 32nd overall pick by the Reds in the 2022 Draft. "Every time I step between the lines, I’m trying to win. I’m also trying to show them that I’m ready for whatever circumstance comes.”

Stewart, who also hit a single in the fifth inning, was 2-for-5 with three RBIs. This was the second time that he’s been part of the Spring Breakout experience.

“It’s great to get out on the field with a bunch of good players," he said. "It’s awesome because the competition is great. What’s not to love?”

📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER

In 80 games for High-A Dayton last season, Stewart batted .279/.391/.454 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs. His season was cut short in July because of a right wrist laceration.

Stewart, 21, participated in his first big league camp this year and impressed manager Terry Francona.

“He’s a very advanced hitter," Francona said last Monday, after Stewart was sent to Minor League camp. "I don’t know when it is but he’s going to be a good Major League hitter. I firmly believe that."

O'Donnell matches Stewart

During a five-run top of the third inning, center fielder Ethan O'Donnell pulled a 1-1 pitch toward the right-field corner and reached third base standing up with a two-run triple of his own.

“I was talking to Cam Collier between at-bats and made some adjustments and I stuck to the plan there," said O'Donnell, who is ranked No. 18 in the organization. "He reminded me to stay through the ball and I work best looking to the other way. I give credit to Cam on that one.”

Collier, who is the No. 90 overall prospect and No. 4 in the organization, was unable to play as he recovers from left thumb surgery.

The lefty-hitting O'Donnell, 22, spent all of 2024 at Dayton and batted .269 with a .774 OPS, 10 homers and 40 RBIs in 104 games while working through a shoulder issue.

“That community in Dayton is unbelievable," said O'Donnell, a sixth-round pick out of Virginia in the 2023 Draft. "The support they have, the staff they have, let alone our organizational staff and our players in the locker room. Every day going to work was the best and to get that experience in a tough league against some good competition was phenomenal. Dealing with the ups and downs of baseball, the injuries, starting off slow, learning the mental grind of professional baseball. As much as you think you’re ready from college baseball, it’s a different beast.”

Serwinowski working on third pitch

Left-handed starting pitcher Adam Serwinowski, the Reds' No. 12 prospect, threw two innings and allowed one run, one hit and two walks with one strikeout. That strikeout came with a runner on first base when he got José Anderson looking at a strike-three fastball.

“You have to control the run game. I held the pause long and get a guy after he calls a timeout, make him wait and then he gets uncomfortable in the box and then I freeze him with a fastball," said Serwinowski, a 15th-round pick in 2022.

In his first full pro season during 2024 with Single-A Daytona, Serwinowski led the Florida State League with 25 starts and was eighth with 106 strikeouts. He posted a 3.57 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 85 2/3 innings. Most of his starts were capped at four innings.

Serwinowski is in the process of developing his changeup.

“I’ve been working on that for about two weeks so far," he said. "It’s coming along quicker than you’d think. They’re letting me feel it out when I want to introduce it in games when I feel comfortable to throw. We found a grip that we think is good and [the pitch] will contribute to my pitching depth.”

Mey hits 102

The Reds dugout thoroughly enjoyed watching No. 20 prospect Luis Mey zip through a scoreless eighth inning in relief. Mey, who struck out two, reached 101 mph multiple times and topped at 102 mph with his final pitch for the strikeout.

"That was fun to watch," Triple-A Louisville manager Pat Kelly said. "For me, the impressive thing is he threw strikes. A lot of guys throw hard but are constantly behind. He was aggressive. He went after the guys"

Senior Reporter Mark Sheldon has covered the Reds for MLB.com since 2006, and previously covered the Twins from 2001-05.

Cory Snyder announced as manager of Northern Colorado Owlz

Former Major League star and Olympian to lead Pioneer League team after managing in USA, Mexico, and Taiwan
February 15, 2022

WINDSOR, Colo. -- Cory Snyder, who spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball as a right fielder and finished second in the 1984 Olympics with Team USA before embarking on a Minor League career that included multiple managerial positions and a front office stint with the Orem Owlz, has been

Grand Junction Rockies name Bobby Jenks Manager

After serving as the pitching coach in 2021, Bobby Jenks will assume managerial duties for the Grand Junction Rockies in 2022
March 17, 2022

Grand Junction, Colorado "We are excited to welcome Bobby back for his second season in Grand Junction. We look forward to a terrific season ahead with him as our manager." Team President Mick Ritter said. Jenks replaces Jimmy Johnson, who retired following the season. "This is my first time stepping

​​Pioneer Baseball League Announces 2022 Schedule

November 3, 2021

MLB Partner League Launches 96 Game Schedule on May 23rd, Two New Teams Added

Pioneer Baseball League and TicketSmarter Announce Historic Naming Rights Agreement

January 25, 2022

First-Ever Pro Baseball League to Sell Naming Rights; TicketSmarter Acquires Secondary Ticketing Rights to PBL

Northern Colorado Owlz to Debut in 2022

January 21, 2021

NORTHERN COLORADO OWLZ TO PLAY INAUGURAL SEASON IN 2022 Team to welcome fans to Future Legends Complex stadium when finalized WINDSOR, Colo. -- The Northern Colorado Owlz will play their inaugural season at Future Legends Complex in 2022, Owlz ownership announced this morning. The decision to start in 2022 was

Pioneer League becoming MLB 'Partner League'

Eight teams transferring to newly independent circuit for 2021
@SamDykstraMiLB
November 30, 2020

A new brand of baseball is coming to the Mountain time zone in 2021. The Pioneer League has been designated a "Partner League" of Major League Baseball, both the circuit and MLB announced Monday. The move will transform the Rookie Advanced loop into an independent league and comes as part

Owlz Conclude Season With 4-2 Win

Reyes homers in win
September 8, 2019

(Orem, UT) - The Orem Owlz (30-46) finished the season with a 4-2 win over the Ogden Raptors (54-22) on Saturday night at the Home of the Owlz.  

Owlz Edged by Raptors, 3-2

Deveaux homers in loss
September 5, 2019

(Ogden, UT) - The Owlz (29-45) battled back late to tie the game late but an Eddys Leonard solo homer in the eighth inning was the difference as the Ogden Raptors (53-21) took the series finale 3-2 on Thursday night at Lindquist Field.

Pitching Key in Owlz 3-1 Win

Mulrine and Knowles homer in win
September 4, 2019

(Ogden, UT) - Kelvin Moncion, Jacob Voss, and Darrien Williams combined to hold the Ogden Raptors (52-21) to just three hits in an Orem Owlz (29-44) 3-1 win on Wednesday night at Lindquist Field. 

Owlz Thwarted by Raptors

White doubles in loss
September 3, 2019

(Ogden, UT) - The Orem Owlz (28-44) offense was quiet on Tuesday night, losing their third consecutive game, falling 12-0 to the Ogden Raptors (52-20) in game two of a four-game series at Lindquist Field.

Owlz Held Off by Raptors, 4-3

Mulrine hits inside the park homer in loss
September 2, 2019

(Ogden, UT) - The Ogden Raptors (51-20) scored three runs in the first inning and the Orem Owlz (28-43) couldn't recover, losing the series opener, 4-3, on Monday night at Lindquist Field. 

Owlz Come Up Short Against Raptors

Kunz collects three hits in loss
September 1, 2019

(Orem, UT) - The Orem Owlz (28-42) scored three runs in the ninth inning but fell short in a 5-4 loss to the Ogden Raptors on Sunday afternoon at the Home of the Owlz. 

Jackson, Owlz Pound Raptors, 18-5

Jackson tied Pioneer League home run record
August 31, 2019

(Orem, UT) - The Orem Owlz (28-41) scored nine runs in the second inning on their way to a blow out win over the Ogden Raptors (18-13) 18-45 on Saturday night at the Home of the Owlz. 

Big Inning Propels Owlz Over Vibes

Mulrine hits grand slam in win
August 30, 2019

(Orem, UT) - The Orem Owlz (27-41) used a six run third inning to beat the Rocky Mountain Vibes (30-38) 7-1 in the series finale on Friday night at the Home of the Owlz

Owlz Downed by Vibes, 10-7

Holmes drives in six runs in debut
August 29, 2019

(Orem, UT) - The Owlz (26-41) couldn't catch the Rocky Mountain Vibes (30-37) on Thursday night, losing the second game of the series, 10-7, at the Home of the Owlz.

Gonzalez, Leon Mellow Vibes

Jackson hits league-leading 22nd homer
August 28, 2019

(Orem, UT) - Jenrry Gonzalez and Matt Leon combined for nine shutout innings, helping the Orem Owlz (25-40) beat the Rocky Mountain Vibes (29-37) 3-0 in the series opener on Wednesday night at the Home of the Owlz.

Owlz Outlasted by Rockies, 10-8

Reyes and Scires homer in loss
August 27, 2019

(Orem, UT) - The Orem Owlz (25-40) battled back to send the game to extra innings before losing the series finale, 10-8, to the Grand Junction Rockies (31-33) in 10 innings on Tuesday night at the Home of the Owlz.

Owlz Rally Falls Short

Verrier Smacks Homer in Loss
August 26, 2019

(Orem, UT) - The Orem Owlz (25-39) came from seven down to cut the Grand Junction Rockies (30-33) one run before ultimately losing the series opener 14-11 on Monday night at the Home of the Owlz.

Owlz Stymied by Vibes in Finale

Scires homers in loss
August 24, 2019

(Colorado Springs, CO) - Another big first inning doomed the Owlz (25-38) as the Rocky Mountain Vibes (28-34) scored three runs in the first inning on their way to a 5-2 win in the series finale on Saturday night at uchealth Park.

Owlz Overpowered by Vibes, 14-4

Scires drives in two in loss
August 23, 2019

(Colorado Springs, CO) - The Rocky Mountain Vibes scored six runs in the first inning and never looked back, beating the Orem Owlz 14-4 on Friday night at UCHealth Park.

Owlz Stun Vibes in Ninth

Williams-Nelson drives in winning run in five run ninth
August 22, 2019

(Colorado Springs, CO) - The Orem Owlz (25-36) didn't score until the ninth inning on Thursday night, scoring five runs to beat the Rocky Mountain Vibes (26-34) 5-2 at UCHealth Park.

Owlz Pummeled by Vibes, 13-2

Mulrine homers in loss
August 22, 2019

(Colorado Springs, CO) - The Rocky Mountain Vibes (26-33) scored the final 13 runs of the game as the Owlz (24-36) lost the series opener with the Vibes, 13-2 on Wendesday night at UCHealth Park.

Owlz Use Big Inning to Beat Rockies

Kunz collects three hits in win
August 20, 2019

(Grand Junction, CO) - The Owlz (24-35) scored seven runs in the third inning on their way to a third consecutive win, beating the Grand Junction Rockies, 10-8 on Tuesday night at Suplizio Field.

Guzman, Offense Key in Owlz Win

Clawson and Sala each collect three hits in win
August 19, 2019

(Grand Junction, CO) - Emilker Guzman allowed just one unearned run in five innings as the Owlz (23-35) offense scored 12 runs in a 12-1 win over the Rockies (27-30) on Monday night at Suplizio Field.

Owlz Back in Win Column, 8-3

Sala drives in two in win
August 18, 2019

(Grand Junction, CO) - The Owlz (22-35) got back on the winning track, beating the Grand Junction Rockies (27-29), 8-3, on Sunday evening at Suplizio Field in game two of a four-game series.