Cincinnati Reds Infielder Sal Stewart Doing Exactly What He Was Called Up To Do

There is a reason that Reds fans were screaming from the rooftops for the organization to promote top prospect Sal Stewart when the offense was struggling. The kid can hit.

Since he's been called up on September 1, he's done just that.

In Monday's win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Stewart gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a towering home run into the left field seats. In his next at-bat, he flew out to the warning track on a ball that would have been a home run in 20 of 30 MLB stadiums. Stewart had three hits and two RBIs on Monday, and it was his second three-hit game in his last three starts.

"I just try to put a good swing on and if it goes, it goes," Stewart said postgame. Homers are just mis-hit, honestly. I try to hit a hard line drive up the middle and if it goes, it goes."

The 21-year-old has provided a big boost to Cincinnati's lineup, slashing .297/.297/.622 with four home runs in 11 games.

"Golly man, he's swinging the bat," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "You know, sometimes you get a young kid and they got some energy and I think it's good for everybody.

Oh, and the Reds are 6-3 when he's in the starting lineup.

"We are just focused on ourselves right now, honestly. We've got to take care of what we can take care of and whatever happens, happens."

The Reds are 75-75 and two games back of the third and final National League Wild Card spot. Andrew Abbott will be on the mound when the Reds take on the Cardinals in game two of the series on Tuesday night at 7:45 ET.

You can watch Stewart's postgame comments below: