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.
Boise Hawks 2022 Seasonal Job Fair Announced
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks have announced the date of their annual seasonal job fair for the 2022 season on Saturday, April 23rd from 10 AM to 1 PM at Memorial Stadium. The Hawks are in search of dedicated and reliable personnel to join their game day staff for the
Boise Hawks Announce Sports Career Academy
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced they are taking resumes for their new Boise Hawks Sports Career Academy. The Boise Hawks Sports Career Academy gives Treasure Valley college students a first-hand look into the world of sports and entertainment sales and service.
Hawks Release New Hospitality Options for 2022
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have released their new hospitality options at Memorial Stadium for the 2022 season. Groups now can choose from two hospitality options, based on time of food service and each with unique offerings. “Our goal is the give the
Hawks Announce Annual Winter Glove Drive
Hawks Announce Annual Winter Glove Drive Donate a pair of winter gloves and receive a complimentary ticket to Opening Night BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced their annual Winter Glove Drive. For each new pair of winter gloves donated, fans will receive
PBL Announces Postseason Award Winners
All Star Team, Award Winners and Stats Champs Announced At its Annual Meetings in Las Vegas, NV, the Pioneer Baseball League (“PBL”) today announced its 2021 All Star Team, Postseason Award Winners and Statistics Champions. Zac Almond, catcher for the PBL champion Missoula PaddleHeads was named the league’s Most Valuable
2022 Hawks Schedule Release
The Boise Hawks, 2021 Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced their 2022 game schedule. The 2022 campaign begins on the road, in Idaho Falls, on Wednesday, May 25. Opening Night at Memorial Stadium will take place on Saturday, May 28 against the Idaho Fall Chukars. The final game
BallparktoberFest Postponed
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks announced this morning that they have postponed BallparktoberFest, their annual beer tasting event at Memorial Stadium, until the Spring of 2022. “With TreeFort, AleFort, and various similarly themed events going on throughout the state, we unfortunately had to postpone BallparktoberFest until the spring. With all
From the Desk of Mike Van Hise
It’s taken a few days for me to come down from the excitement (and anxiety, lots of anxiety) of the Championship Series and I can’t help but take some time to share with you our thoughts on the 2021 season. For the first time, we were able to showcase home
PBL Championship Game Three: Boise bested in season finale
Boise, ID - In the final game of the PBL Championship, the Boise Hawks (1-2) had their season end in disappointing fashion, falling 14-1 at the hands of the Missoula PaddleHeads (2-1) on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. It was a bad start for Boise, who allowed a two-run homer
PBL Championship Game Two: Hawks leave it late to force decisive Game Three
Boise, ID - Game Two of the PBL Championship Series was a story that matched much of the Boise Hawks (1-1) season as they completed a late comeback to take down the Missoula PaddleHeads (1-1) by a final score of 5-4 on Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium. Falling behind early
PBL Championship Game Two and Three Ticket Links
Tickets for the PBL Championship Series can be purchased from the following links, or by calling the front office at (208)-322-5000 or in person at the Gutterdone Box Office at Memorial Stadium. GAME 2 🎟: https://bit.ly/2YLssxL GAME 3 🎟: https://bit.ly/38W3w8m
PBL Championship Game One: Hits hard to come by for Hawks in loss
Missoula, MT - A lack of offense led to a Boise Hawks (0-1) defeat at the hands of the Missoula PaddleHeads (1-0) in Game One of the Pioneer Baseball League Championship Series by a final score of 8-2 on Monday night at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. Missoula crossed the
PBL Championship Series Preview
Missoula, MT - In their very first season in the Pioneer League, the Boise Hawks have earned the right to play for the PBL Championship in a best of three series against the Missoula PaddleHeads. Both teams took vastly different routes to reach the championship series, with Missoula winning both
Southern Division Championship: Boise takes down Ogden in 12 innings, advances to PBL Championship Series
Ogden, UT - In the only extra innings game played in the Pioneer Baseball League this season, the Boise Hawks walked away as the PBL Southern Division Champions, winning 8-7 over the Ogden Raptors in 12 innings at Lindquist Field on Saturday night. Things started very poorly for the Hawks,
Boise Hawks, ITD Partner for Hawks Postseason
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks are excited to announce the Idaho Transportation Department will be the Presenting Partner of the 2021 Boise Hawks Post-Season. The Hawks return to the post-season for the first time in 7 years. “We’re really proud to partner with the Hawks and congratulate them on a
Game 95: Boise picks up division clinching victory on the strength of five home runs
Ogden, UT - Falling behind after six, a comeback in the final three innings would allow the Boise Hawks (28-19) to walk away from Lindquist Field as the PBL South Second Half Division Champions thanks to a 9-7 victory over the Ogden Raptors (25-22) on Thursday night. Ogden started the
Game 94: Boise struggles to score in series opener
Ogden, UT - A slow night for offense saw the Boise Hawks (27-19) come up short in a 6-2 ballgame against the Ogden Raptors (25-21) on Wednesday night at Lindquist Field. Runs wouldn’t end up on the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning, in large part thanks to
Game 93: Boise breaks playoff drought with overpowering victory
Boise, ID - In their final regular season game at home in 2021 the Boise Hawks (27-18) not only defeated the Grand Junction Rockies (24-21) but also clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2014 thanks to a 7-3 victory on Monday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Jason Dicochea
Game 92: Hawks can't hold early lead
Boise, ID - An early lead wouldn’t be enough for the Boise Hawks (26-18) who saw the Grand Junction Rockies (24-20) come back in the middle innings during an 8-6 defeat on Sunday night at Memorial Stadium. Like Friday night, it was Alejandro Rivero who gave Boise an early lead,
Game 91: Vancena puts Boise on verge of clinching second half crown
Boise, ID - After Matt Dallas shined on Friday, the Boise Hawks (26-17) got another marvelous pitching performance from their starter, guiding them to a 13-6 win over the Grand Junction Rockies (23-20) on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Offensively it was all Boise in the early and middle innings,
Game 90: Brilliant Dallas pitches Boise to 5-1 victory
Boise, ID - In a night dominated by pitching, it was the Boise Hawks (25-17) who found a way to put runs on the board, winning 5-1 over the Grand Junction Rockies (23-19) on Friday night at Memorial Stadium. Matt Dallas set the tone early, by striking out the side
Game 89: Boise can't hold back Grand Junction
Boise, ID - Thirteen unanswered runs would sink the Boise Hawks (24-17) in a 16-4 loss to the Grand Junction Rockies (23-18) on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. It took until the third inning for either side to score, with the Rockies firing the opening salvo and plating three in
Game 88: Hawks steal series opener in a Knock Out
Boise, ID - A ninth inning comeback, and a Knock Out round victory padded the Boise Hawks (24-16) lead in the second half over the Grand Junction Rockies (22-18) thanks to a 5-4 victory on Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium. Most of the night was controlled by the men on
Game 87: Offensive onslaught sends Hawks home happy
Idaho Falls, ID - The Boise Hawks (23-16) unloaded an offensive barrage on the Idaho Falls Chukars (20-19) on their way to a 15-6 victory on Sunday night at Melaleuca Field. Hits came early and often for Boise, who got three knocks in the second inning, but ended up stranding
Game 86: Boise gives up early runs in defeat
Idaho Falls, ID - Trying to play catch-up all evening long would not be successful for the Boise Hawks (22-16) in a 14-5 loss to the Idaho Falls Chukars (20-18) on Saturday night at Melaleuca Field. Boise would fall behind 1-0 just two batters into the contest, and end up