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.

RoughRiders Combine to No-Hit Missions 

May 7, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (May 7, 2025) – Kohl Drake, Ryan Lobus and Skylar Hales combined to throw a no-hitter for the Frisco RoughRiders (18-11) against the San Antonio Missions (15-14) on Wednesday afternoon at Wolff Stadium. For Frisco, it’s their sixth no-hitter in franchise history and first since July 29, 2011,

Missions Take Advantage of Big Innings to Rout Frisco in Opener 

May 6, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (May 6, 2025) – The San Antonio Missions (15-13) welcomed the Frisco RoughRiders (17-11) to the Alamo City with an offensive outburst, scoring nine runs on ten hits and riding the arm of Braden Nett's first win to a 9-2 rout. The game marked the opening of a

Missions Walk-Off Hooks, Earn Series Split 

May 4, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (May 4, 2025) – After starting off the homestand with a walk-off win over the Corpus Christi Hooks (9-18), the San Antonio Missions (14-13) came from behind and walked-off the Hooks for the second time to earn a series split on Sunday. A Moisés Gómez sacrifice fly scored

Merrill Singles Twice as Missions Get Back in Win Column  

May 3, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (May 3, 2025) – An eventful evening in San Antonio, which included Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill’s addition to the lineup for a rehab assignment and a Top Gun themed game, was capped off with a 4-1 win for the San Antonio Missions (13-13) over the Corpus Christi Hooks

Hooks Hold Off Missions on Friday Night 

May 2, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (May 2, 2025) – Despite a solid performance by starter Victor Lizarraga, costly errors and a quiet night with the bats resulted in a 5-3 loss for the San Antonio Missions (12-13) to the Corpus Christi Hooks (9-16). Lizarraga got the start in the fourth game of a

San Antonio’s Bats Quieted by Corpus Christi 

May 1, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (May 1, 2025) – In a well-pitched ball game for both teams on Thursday night, the Corpus Christi Hooks (8-16) got the best of the Flying Chanclas de San Antonio (12-12) in a 3-1 game. Despite a solo home run by Catcher Brandon Valenzuela, the Hooks took the

Hooks Take Wednesday Night Matchup at The Wolff 

April 30, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (April 30, 2025) – The Corpus Christi Hooks (7-16) broke a tie in the fifth and never looked back, defeating the San Antonio Missions (12-11) by a score of 8-2 on Wednesday night. San Antonio starter Braden Nett took the loss while Hooks starter Trey Dombrowski claimed the

Valenzuela Crushes Walk-Off Homer as Missions Blank Hooks 

April 29, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (April 29, 2025) – With the game locked at zero in the bottom of the ninth inning, Brandon Valenzuela clobbered a walk-off home run to give the San Antonio Missions (12-10) a thrilling 2-0 win over the Corpus Christi Hooks (6-16). Henry Bàez, the Missions’ starter, sparkled through

Missions Shortstop Francisco Acuña Mashes His Way to Texas League Player of the Week Award 

April 28, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (April 28, 2025) — Four home runs, including a game-winning blast on Thursday night in Amarillo, paved the way for Missions shortstop Francisco Acuña to win Texas League Player of the Week for the week of April 21-27. In six games against the Amarillo Sod Poodles, Acuña went

San Antonio Takes Sunday Finale Over Pigweeds 

April 27, 2025

AMARILLO, Texas (April 27, 2025) – A stellar defensive play from Tyler Robertson and homers from Anthony Vilar and Brandon Valenzuela aided clutch pitching to give the San Antonio Missions a 5-4 win over the Amarillo Sod Poodles, who today played as the Yellow City Pigweeds. San Antonio starter Jagger

Missions Drop Both Ends of Saturday Doubleheader in Amarillo 

April 26, 2025

AMARILLO, Texas (April 26, 2025) – With the help of five homers across two games, the Amarillo Sod Poodles (8-12) swept both ends of a Saturday doubleheader against the San Antonio Missions (10-10). In game one, Amarillo took a 4-0 lead that disappeared after a Missions comeback, but a late

Acuña Blasts Homer in Fourth Straight Game, Missions Outlast Sod Poodles in Extra Innings 

April 25, 2025

AMARILLO, Texas (April 24, 2025) – A season-high 13 runs on a season-high 17 hits proved to be enough for the San Antonio Missions to end up above the Amarillo Sod Poodles in a topsy-turvy 13-11 win in ten innings. In the tenth inning, Francisco Acuña lifted a three-run homer

Late Comeback Falls Short as Sod Poodles Escape with Victory 

April 24, 2025

AMARILLO, Texas (April 23, 2025) – After a one hour and 29-minute rain delay, a rare low-scoring game took place at Hodgetown. San Antonio Missions starter Henry Bàez struck out seven while allowing just two runs, and Avery Short pitched into the seventh inning for the Amarillo Sod Poodles. The

Pointy Boots Clobber Five Homers to Beat Missions 

April 22, 2025

AMARILLO, Texas (April 22, 2025) – After the Missions jumped on top with a Francisco Acuña grand slam, the Amarillo Sod Poodles, playing as the Pointy Boots, scored 15 unanswered runs on the way to a 15-4 win over the Missions. Amarillo blasted five home runs, including three in the

Naturals Earn Series Split with Sunday Win in San Antonio 

April 20, 2025

SAN ANTONIO – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals pounced on the San Antonio Missions with 12 runs on 14 hits to earn a series split in the Alamo City. Peyton Wilson drove in three runs with four hits, including two triples, and Ryan Ramsey followed up his inclusion in Tuesday’s no

Wolf Twirls Another Gem, Missions Lose in Extras 

April 20, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, (April 19, 2025) – The pitcher’s duel between the Naturals and Missions was as advertised in San Antonio Saturday night, as both offenses were silenced through eleven innings. However, it was the Naturals who ultimately came out on top 6-0 after pulling away in the 12th inning thanks

Castañon Walks Off Naturals in Friday Night Thriller 

April 19, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, (April 18, 2025) – With two outs in the tenth inning and the bases loaded, Marcos Castañon dribbled a ball to third and barely beat out the throw to send 5,877 fans at Wolff Stadium into a frenzy. The walk-off infield single gave the San Antonio Missions an

Flying Chanclas Soar in Comeback Win Against Naturals 

April 17, 2025

Despite trailing 3-0 early, the Flying Chanclas de San Antonio stormed back to defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 7-4. Two-run blasts from Miami natives Romeo Sanabria and Anthony Vilar gave the Missions a 4-3 lead in the sixth frame, and after the Naturals tied it, Kai Murphy put the Chanclas

Haynes Picks Up His First Win as San Antonio Defeats Northwest Arkansas 

April 16, 2025

SAN ANTONIO – Jagger Haynes picked up his first Double-A win thanks in large part to a three-run homer from Moisès Gòmez as the Missions defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 4-1. The 22-year-old Opening Day starter for the Missions scattered four hits and two walks across 5.2 innings in which

Four Naturals Pitchers Combine for No-Hitter in San Antonio 

April 15, 2025

SAN ANTONIO – For the fourth time in franchise history, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals completed a no-hitter on Tuesday night. Ryan Ramsey, Chazz Martinez, Ryan Brady and Brandon Johnson combined to hold the San Antonio Missions without a hit as they defeated the Missions 3-0 at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Ramsey

Wolf’s Stellar Outing Helps Missions Clinch Series in Corpus Christi 

April 13, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Jackson Wolf’s five nearly perfect innings led the San Antonio Missions to an 8-2 Sunday evening win over the Corpus Christi Hooks. Wolf struck out seven and allowed just one base runner—an infield single—as he provided the Missions with both their longest start of the 2025

Fleury Dazzles as Hooks Shut Out Missions 

April 12, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – José Fleury sparkled on the mound with six scoreless innings and nine strikeouts as the Corpus Christi Hooks silenced the San Antonio Missions in a 2-0 victory. Fleury still has not allowed a run in 2025 across 11 innings on the mound, and he had everything

Late Rally Lifts Hooks Over Missions 

April 11, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Luis Castro’s two-run single in the seventh jumped the Corpus Christi Hooks ahead of the San Antonio Missions, and the home team held on for the 4-3 win before a great crowd of 6,212 at Whataburger Field. Despite 11 hits by the Missions, they stranded nine

San Antonio Pulls Out Comeback Win in Extra Innings 

April 10, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The San Antonio Missions continued to prove their resilience with a 4-3 extra-inning win over the Corpus Christi Hooks. Despite falling behind for the sixth straight game, the Missions improved to 5-1 on the 2025 season thanks to more stellar efforts from their bullpen, solid defense

Missions Erupt for Eight Runs on 15 Hits to Beat Corpus Christi 

April 9, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Romeo Sanabria continued his remarkable start to the 2025 campaign with a four-hit effort that included a three-run home run as the Missions jumped all over the Corpus Christi Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits in an 8-4 win. The Missions recorded 15 hits, their most since June