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.
Norwich in thick of playoff race at halfway point of season
Summer is in full swing and as the calendar flips to July, the Norwich Sea Unicorns are already halfway through the 2022 season. Sitting at an even 16-16, the Sea Unicorns have been playing some of their best baseball of the summer as of late, winning seven of their last
O’Connell dazzles in relief, leads comeback win
Having a final line of six innings pitched, one run allowed on two hits, and 11 strikeouts isn’t out of the ordinary for a starting pitcher. Tuesday night at Dodd Stadium, that was the final line for Sea Unicorns reliever Ryan O’Connell in Norwich’s 9-6 win over the Westfield Starfires.
Norwich back to winning ways over the weekend
Following a four-game losing streak, the Norwich Sea Unicorns have won three of their last four games, placing the squad a game out of playoff contention at the quarter mark of the season. The turnaround began on Thursday night as Norwich welcomed the Nashua Silver Knights to Dodd Stadium for
Sea Unicorns take part in 'You Choose the Rules' game
Wednesday was Education Day across the Futures League. As part of the league-wide initiative, the Sea Unicorns took a trip to Worcester to face the Bravehearts in an exhibition “You Choose the Rules“ game. The Bravehearts allowed fans to vote on rules that were implemented periodically throughout the seven-inning game.
Norwich loses three straight over weekend
It was a weekend to forget for the Sea Unicorns last week, as the Norwich-based squad lost three games in a row to drop to 3-7 on the season. Following back-to-back wins on Wednesday and Thursday, with the latter coming in walk-off fashion, Norwich lost a pair of one-run affairs
Zyons the hero in walk-off win
In its second home game of the season, the Norwich Sea Unicorns mounted an impressive comeback to nab its first home victory in walk-off fashion, 7-6 over the Worcester Bravehearts. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom half of the ninth, Zac Zyons, who drove in the
Norwich back in win column as Ruggiero retires 10 straight
After opening the 2022 season with a win, the Sea Unicorns would fall on hard times losing their next four games. Just under a week since their last win, the Norwich bats came to life late to steal a victory in the Hardware city. On the mound for the second
Early woes continue as Bees take Norwich home-opener
In front of a crowd of more than three thousand, Norwich’s bats continued to stay quiet in a 5-2 loss to New Britain in the Sea Unicorns’ home opener Monday night. Norwich was only able to squeak out two hits on the night and didn’t score a run after the
Offense quiet in loss to Worcester
After scoring 15 runs across its first two games of the season, the Norwich Sea Unicorns were only able to bring two across the plate in Sunday’s 8-2 loss to the Worcester Bravehearts. Norwich’s four through seven hitters were a combined 0-for-13 on the day. Four of the Sea Unicorns’
Sea Unicorns game at Brockton postponed
The Sea Unicorns’ scheduled game Saturday night in Brockton has been postponed due to weather. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday, June 21 in Brockton. Both games will be seven innings. Norwich will travel to Worcester Sunday to take on the Bravehearts. First pitch
Norwich loses first game on walk-off in Pittsfield
Under the lights in Pittsfield Friday night, the Sea Unicorns dropped a heart breaker to the Suns, with the home team grabbing a walk-off victory off the bat of first baseman Jack Ryan. Norwich took a one-run lead into the bottom of the ninth, but walked the bases loaded before
Bats come alive in opening day win
As the saying goes, it’s better late than never. In their 2022 season opener, the Norwich Sea Unicorns offense clicked late to propel the team to its first victory of the season over the New Britain Bees, 11-5. Norwich scored seven runs across the final two innings to pull away
Sea Unicorns announce roster for 2022 season
After a successful first half in the Futures League in 2021, the Norwich Sea Unicorns were not as lucky when the second half approached, finishing the season 27-40. Looking to rewrite the story of last season, Norwich has had a busy offseason bringing in the best young talent college baseball
Sea Unicorns schedule and promotions update
Dear Sea Unicorns Fans, As we move closer to the start of our 2022 season, I would like to update you on many happenings with the Norwich Sea Unicorns. As many of you know, we have had a few personnel moves in the Front Office. A huge part of our
Sea Unicorns geared up for 2022 season
After their inaugural first season in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) in 2021, The Norwich Sea Unicorns are back for the 2022 season. Originally rebranded from the Connecticut Tigers, Norwich was set to be the Low-Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. This was changed when Major League Baseball
8-13-21 - Yaworski and Driscoll Win FCBL Post-Season Awards
Hunter Yaworski (Brooklyn, CT/Mitchell College) and David Driscoll (Hingham, MA/Williams College) were both named recipients of two post-season awards in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Both were presented their awards by FCBL Commissioner Joe Paolucci before the final home game of the year Thursday night at Dodd Stadium. Yaworski won
8-12-21 Sea Unicorns Drop Doubleheader to Starfires in Last Home Games of Season
(Norwich, CT) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns fell to the Westfield Starfires in a doubleheader at Dodd Stadium 7-5 and 10-5 to conclude the home schedule on Thursday night. Trailing 7-0 in the fifth, Norwich scored five unanswered runs to cut their deficit to two runs. Korey Morton (Norwalk, CT/UConn)
8-10-21 Game Recap - Rox 11 Sea Unicorns 3
(Brockton, MA) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns fell to the Brockton Rox 11-3 Tuesday night on the road. Trailing 10-0 in the seventh, the Sea Unicorns extended the game with three runs to avoid the mercy rule. David Driscoll (Hingham, MA/Williams College) and Michael Torniero (East Haven, CT/Central CT State
8-7-21 Sea Unicorns 1 Bees 0
Sea Unicorns Shutout In-State Rival Bees In 1-0 Pitchers Duel At Dodd Stadium (Norwich, CT) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns take down in-state rival New Britain Bees 1-0 at Dodd Stadium on Saturday night. The Sea Unicorn’s pitching shined against the Bees as Jimmy Wang (Beijing, CN/University of Connecticut) started
8-5-21 Sea Unicorns 8 Rox 6
(Norwich, CT) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns defeated the Brockton Rox 8-6 Thursday night at Dodd Stadium in a game that featured a little of everything Anthony Porrino (Locust Valley, NY) came up to the plate with runners on second and third in the third when he swung and missed
8-3-21 Silver Knights 5 Sea Unicorns 2
(Norwich, CT) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns dropped Tuesday night’s game at Dodd Stadium 5-2 to the Nashua Silver Knights. Hunter Yaworski (Brooklyn, CT/Mitchell College) began the fourth inning with a triple down the right field line, followed by a base hit back at the pitcher by Tyler Wells (Danville,
8-1-21 - Sea Unicorns Fall on Road in Doubleheader to Suns
(Pittsfield, MA) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns fell to the Pittsfield Suns on the road in both ends of a doubleheader 6-4 and 15-1 Sunday afternoon. Down 5-0 after three in game one, the Sea Unicorns cut their deficit with a three-run fourth. Jack Blake (Westfield, MA/Eastern CT State University)
7-31-21 Silver Knights 8 Sea Unicorns 2
(Norwich, CT) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns dropped Saturday night’s game 8-2 to the Nashua Silver Knights at Dodd Stadium. The Sea Unicorns scored their first run on the night when Gianni Zarrilli (Wethersfield, CT/UMass Boston) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh, scoring Ian
7-30-21 Rox 14 Sea Unicorns 10
(Norwich, CT) -- The Norwich Sea Unicorns fall to the Brockton Rox 14-10 Friday night with a season best 2,323 in attendance at Dodd Stadium. The Sea Unicorns grabbed an early lead as Tyler Wells (Danville, VT/University of New Haven) ripped a two-run triple that scored Hunter Yaworski (Brooklyn, CT/Mitchell
7-29-21 Sea Unicorns 12 Rox 0
(Norwich, CT) -- The Sea Unicorns batted around twice in six innings and beat the Brockton Rox 12-0 in a rain-shortened game at Dodd Stadium on Thursday night. The Sea Unicorns were hitting in the sixth when the skies opened, but not before knocking 14 hits around the yard early