Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
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.
Mets continue home stand Wednesday with matinee tickets for $5
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The St. Lucie Mets return to Clover Park on Tuesday to start a six-game, action-packed series vs. the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies affiliate). Tuesday’s game and games Thursday-Saturday begin at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday’s game starts at 1:10 p.m. and Sunday’s finale starts at 12:10 p.m. Tickets
Mets take series opener from Threshers, 6-1
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (May 6, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets defeated the Clearwater Threshers 6-1 at Clover Park in the series opener between the teams on Tuesday night. Three Mets pitchers combined to limit the Threshers to one unearned run on just four hits. Channing Austin pitched the
Ewing named FSL Player of the Month for April
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (May 5, 2025) – Minor League Baseball announced today that former St. Lucie Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing has been named the Florida State League Player of the Month for April. Ewing slashed .400/.506/.615 and posted a 1.121 OP over 18 games in April. He was promoted
Mets lose series finale to Jupiter, 4-2
JUPITER, Fla. (May 4, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets faltered in the first inning and could not complete a comeback as they lost the rubber game to the Jupiter Hammerheads 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter took two of three in the series but the
Mets take over 1st place with 9-2 win in Jupiter
JUPITER, Fla. (May 3, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets bounced back from a quiet loss Friday with a 9-2 victory against the Jupiter Hammerheads on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With the win the Mets took claim of solo first place in the Florida State League East
Hammerheads shut out Mets 4-0
JUPITER, Fla. (May 2, 2025) – The Jupiter Hammerheads pitched a two-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory over the St. Lucie Mets in the series opener on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Hammerheads improved to 3-1 against the Mets this season. All three Jupiter victories have been
Juan’s homer lifts Mets to 5-2 win over Cardinals
JUPITER, Fla. (May 1, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets put together another late inning rally to beat the Palm Beach Cardinals 5-2 on Thursday evening at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Mets took two of three in the series from the Cardinals and tied Palm Beach atop the Florida
Mets win 11 inning thriller 8-6 vs. Cardinals
JUPITER, Fla. (April 30, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets improved to 4-0 in extra innings this season with a thrilling 8-6 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals in 11 innings at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Wednesday night. Trey Snyder ripped a RBI single in the 11th inning to
Cardinals shut down Mets 3-1 in series opener
JUPITER, Fla. (April 29, 2025) – The Palm Beach Cardinals defeated the St. Lucie Mets 3-1 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in a battle for first place in the Florida State League East Division. Cardinals starter Jason Savacool pitched 5.0 shutout innings of one-hit ball to get
Tortugas win Sunday finale over Mets 8-4
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 27, 2025) – The Daytona Tortugas won Sunday’s series finale 8-4 over the St. Lucie Mets at Clover Park. The Mets won the series 4-2 and finished 8-4 on their 12-game home stand. The Tortugas scored unearned runs in the first and second innings and
Gomez throws 104.5 mph in Mets 4-2 win vs. Daytona
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 26, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets held the Daytona Tortugas to four hits in a 4-2 victory on Saturday night at Clover Park. The Mets improved to 4-1 in the series and 8-3 on their 12-game home stand. The highlight of the night was
Mets shell Tortugas 11-2, go up 3-1 in series
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 25, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets romped their way to an 11-2 win over the Daytona Tortugas on Friday night at Clover Park. The Mets pounded out 15 hits and all nine starters in the lineup recorded at least one hit. Kevin Villavicencio led
Mets comeback bid falls just short in 5-4 loss to Tortugas
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 24, 2025) – The Daytona Tortugas held off the St. Lucie Mets 5-4 on Thursday night at Clover Park. The Mets’ four-game winning streak came to an end. The Mets trailed 5-1 in the bottom of the ninth but the first three batters reached base,
Big 6th inning lifts Mets to 6-3 win against Daytona
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 23, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets extended their winning streak to four games in a row with another comeback victory, 6-3, over the Daytona Tortugas on Wednesday afternoon at Clover Park. The Mets fell behind 2-0 early and were held hitless through the first
Mets win again in extras with 3-2 victory over Tortugas
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 22, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets won their third game in a row with a 3-2 comeback victory in 10 innings over the Daytona Tortugas on Tuesday night at Clover Park. The Mets are now 3-0 in extra inning games this year. Jeremy Rodriguez
Mets roll Tarpons in finale, win series 4-2
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 20, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets notched their first series victory of the season by winning Sunday’s finale 8-2 over the Tampa Tarpons at Clover Park. The Mets won four of six in the series. The Mets broke a scoreless tie with a four-run
Mets earn walk-off win 4-3 in 12 innings over Tarpons
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 19, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets defeated the Tampa Tarpons 4-3 in 12 innings on Saturday night at Clover Park. The Mets improved to 2-0 in extra inning games this season and celebrated their first walk-off win at home. A.J. Ewing hit a long
Tarpons take advantage of 13 walks in 14-9 win over Mets
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 18, 2025) – The Tampa Tarpons took advantage of 13 walks issued by St. Lucie Mets pitchers in a 14-9 win at Clover Park on Friday night. The six-game series is now tied 2-2. The Tarpons opened up a 7-1 lead in the third inning
Tarpons keep Mets bats in check, win 6-1
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 17, 2025) – A trio of Tampa Tarpons pitchers limited the St. Lucie Mets offense to four hits in a 6-1 victory on Thursday night at Clover Park. The Mets still lead the series 2-1. Tarpons starter Griffin Herring pitched 6.0 innings of one-run ball
Ewing stays red hot, Mets cruise past Tarpons 5-1
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 15, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets won for the fifth time in their last seven games with a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Tarpons on Education Day at Clover Park on Wednesday afternoon. Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing continued his blazing start to the
Mets blast 4 home runs, demolish Tarpons 17-6
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (April 15, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets returned to Clover Park with an emphatic 17-6 demolition of the Tampa Tarpons in the series opener between the teams on Tuesday night. The Mets belted four homers in the game, including two by first baseman Trace Willhoite.
Mets comeback falls short in 2-1 loss at Lakeland
LAKELAND, Fla. (April 13, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets could not quite complete a comeback, falling by a final score of 2-1 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Mets ended the week with a 3-3 series split against the Flying Tigers. The
Mets crush Flying Tigers 10-3
LAKELAND, Fla. (April 12, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets enjoyed their biggest win of the young season with a 10-3 thumping of the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday night at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Mets took a 3-2 lead in the series with the win and will go for
Ewing sac fly lifts Mets to 4-3 victory over Flying Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. (April 11, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets rebounded from Thursday’s tough loss to defeat the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-3 on Friday night at Joker Marchant Stadium. The game was tied 3-3 in the ninth. Jesus Baez led off the inning with a single. Baez alertly went first
Flying Tigers stun Mets 7-6 with 8th inning comeback
LAKELAND, Fla. (April 10, 2025) – The St. Lucie Mets were playing their best game of the young season but suffered a tough eighth inning in a 7-6 loss to the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday night at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Mets led from the top of the first