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?”
đź“© 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.
Larry Larson Announced as New Voice of RiverDogs
Charleston, S.C. – Today the RiverDogs announced Larry Larson as the team’s new Voice of the RiverDogs. Larson has spent the last three seasons as a lead voice in MiLB, most recently as the broadcaster and media relations coordinator for the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. In addition to calling games,
Game Preview: Former RiverDogs highlight Thursday’s Spring Breakout game rosters
MLB’s Spring Breakout will again put former RiverDogs in the spotlight this week. For the second straight year, the game’s top prospects assemble for a 4-day event that features matchups between the future stars of MLB organizations. The RiverDogs’ affiliate, the Tampa Bay Rays, will put their top prospects up
RiverDogs Unveil New Food and Beverage Items for the 2025 Season
Highlights include new “Charlie’s Passport” concession stand concept and the return of Beer Shakes CHARLESTON, S.C. – The RiverDogs food and beverage team hosted local media on Tuesday to introduce its new food and drink offerings for the 2025 season, in leadup to Opening Day on April 4. RiverDogs Vice
RiverDogs release 2025 Promo Schedule, headlined by Drone Light Show, A Minecraft Movie Night
On the field, the RiverDogs will start the 2025 season on the comeback trail, looking to win another Carolina League championship after falling just short of an unprecedented 4-peat last season. In its promotional schedule, released today, the team is similarly aiming to reclaim its position atop the league by
RiverDogs to Host National Anthem Auditions for 2025 Season
The Charleston RiverDogs will host an audition for individuals and groups hopeful to perform the National Anthem prior to a game during the 2025 season. Auditions will take place at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Monday, March 3 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. “We know that the Charleston area is home
RiverDogs Announce 2025 Youth Baseball Camp Schedule
The Charleston RiverDogs announced their youth summer baseball camp schedule on Friday morning. For the first time since 2019, the camps will be led by RiverDogs coaches and players. Registration is now open for boys and girls age 6-13. “We are really excited to have our coaches and players involved
RiverDogs Put 2025 Single-Game Tickets on Sale
The first pitch of the 2025 Charleston RiverDogs season is just over two months away. On Monday morning, the team announced that single-game tickets are now on sale. Coinciding with that announcement, the Tampa Bay Rays Single-A affiliate revealed the list of weekly promotions, including the return of staples like
Familiar Faces Fill RiverDogs 2025 Field Staff
The Charleston RiverDogs hunt for a fifth-consecutive trip to the Carolina League postseason will be led by several familiar faces. Manager Sean Smedley, who guided the team to a championship in 2023 and the South Division second half title in 2024, is set to return for a third season at
RiverDogs, CCSD Set to Begin 9th Year of “Reading Around the Bases” Literacy Program
The Charleston RiverDogs and the Charleston County School District have announced the continuation of their long-time partnership that includes the highly successful literacy initiative, “Reading Around the Bases”. The program, which enters its ninth year, was developed during the 2016-2017 school year to promote having fun while reading with second
RiverDogs to Host January Job Fairs for Gameday Roles
With the 2025 baseball season on the horizon, the Charleston RiverDogs will host job fairs on Saturday, January 11 and Saturday, January 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. inside the Segra Club at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Opportunities are available for qualified candidates to fill several part-time, seasonal
Noble Named Carolina League’s Visiting Clubhouse Manager of Year
Minor League Baseball announced the winners of the Head Groundskeeper of the Year and Home and Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year Awards for each full-season league on Tuesday afternoon. Kevin Noble of the Charleston RiverDogs was selected as the Carolina League’s Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year. Winners were
Charleston Tabbed as Fifth-Best Minor League Market in America by Sports Business Journal
RiverDogs to Host Donation Drop-Off for Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene
The Charleston RiverDogs have partnered with Firefly Distillery to provide assistance for those affected by Hurricane Helene in Augusta and Asheville, two communities that are home to fellow Minor League Baseball franchises. Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park will serve as a drop-off location for donations beginning Friday morning until Wednesday,
RiverDogs Season Ends in Extra Innings on Walk-Off Double by T.J. McCants
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers advanced to the Carolina League Championship Series with a walk-off 2-1 win over the Charleston RiverDogs in 11 innings on Friday night. The RiverDogs entered the inning with a 1-0 lead, but a throwing error allowed the Cannon Ballers to tie the game and T.J. McCants
RiverDogs Force Game 3 with Comeback Win Thursday Night
Enderson Delgado’s pinch-hit single with two outs in the top of the seventh inning gave the Charleston RiverDogs a lead they would not relinquish in a 7-4 win over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on Thursday night. The contest was the second in the South Division Championship Series. The victory forces
Cannon Ballers Hand RiverDogs 5-4 Defeat in Game 1 of South Division Championship Series
Sam Antonacci’s RBI double in the top of the sixth inning helped the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers slip by the Charleston RiverDogs 5-4 in Game 1 of the South Division Championship Series on Tuesday night. A crowd of 4,012 took in the contest at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The RiverDogs
RiverDogs Close Regular Season with Third Straight Win
RiverDogs Record Second Straight Shutout, Win 1-0 on 10th Inning Sacrifice Fly
Angel Mateo’s sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning provided the only scoring in a 1-0 victory for the Charleston RiverDogs over the Columbia Fireflies on Saturday night at Segra Park. The shutout victory was the team’s 15th of the season, the most in the Carolina League. The
Hujsak Homers Three Times as RiverDogs Fall 7-6 in Columbia
Connor Hujsak had a massive night at the plate, but it wasn’t enough as the Charleston RiverDogs left the tying run at third in a 7-6 defeat at the hands of the Columbia Fireflies on Thursday at Segra Park. Hujsak blasted three home runs and drove in four in an
Figueroa Homers Twice as RiverDogs Suffer 7-0 Defeat
The Charleston RiverDogs were held off the scoreboard for just the fifth time in the 2024 season, suffering a 7-0 loss to the Columbia Fireflies on Wednesday night at Segra Park. Three Columbia pitchers limited the RiverDogs to just two singles in the game. The RiverDogs (39-22, 66-60) were retired
RiverDogs Sweep Doubleheader; Secure Fourth-Consecutive Trip to Postseason
Connor Hujsak’s two-run double in the bottom of the ninth sent the Charleston RiverDogs to a 3-2 win over the Columbia Fireflies and secured the team’s trip to the playoffs on Tuesday at Columbia’s Segra Park. That victory clinched the club’s third South Division second half title in a row.
Dowd Earns Second Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Honor
Charleston RiverDogs starting pitcher Drew Dowd has been named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 26-September 1, Minor League Baseball announced on Monday afternoon. Dowd also earned the award during the first week of July. The RiverDogs have had one of their starting pitchers claim
RiverDogs Overcome Slow Start at Plate in 3-2 Victory Saturday Night
The Charleston RiverDogs collected five hits on Saturday night in another close victory over the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and four of them never left the infield. The fifth, and final, hit was the decisive one as Angel Mateo dumped an RBI double into shallow center field to guide the Dogs to
RiverDogs Take Big Step Toward Postseason with 4-3 Win on Friday
Crooked Number in Eighth Lifts RiverDogs to Third Straight Victory
Tied entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Charleston RiverDogs scored three runs in the bottom of that frame to pull away from the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for a 6-3 win on Thursday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The victory was the team’s third straight in the series