Sal Stewart’s call-up by Cincinnati injects youthful power into an offense that’s scuffled since the All-Star break. Stewart hit .315/.394/.629 with 10 homers, 15 doubles and 36 RBI over 38 games at Louisville, drawing attention to his multi-position versatility. The Reds, fresh off a 7-4 win that snapped a five-game skid, hope his bat and contact skills spark a sagging lineup.

With roster expansion already in play, Stewart’s debut could shift the dynamic around the diamond and give Cincinnati a spark facing a tightened playoff race. Fantasy managers should monitor early playing time and position flexibility, as a strong first impression could tighten a tenuous Reds offense and unlock value across several hitters.

Cincinnati stomped the Cubs 6-5 after sprinting to a 6-1 lead, powering to 59-49 and a 1.5-game NL Central cushion over Milwaukee. The Reds just swept a western road trip with a Dodgers backdrop still in sight. Deadline moves shaped a smarter 2025 club: Ke’Bryan Hayes to 3B, Noelvi Marte shifted to the outfield, and Zack Littell bolstering a banged-up rotation. Yet the offense remains top-heavy around Elly De La Cruz, whose Herculean task has been carrying the lineup, even as HRs have dried up recently.

The front office doubled down on the core, adding depth with Hayes and Littell while pushing Marte into a more complete, versatile role. The contrast with 2023 is stark: 2025 is stronger on paper but still painfully dependent on De La Cruz’s all-around brilliance. FanGraphs pegs Reds playoff odds at 2.5% as they navigate a tight, stacked NL with Cardinals, Mets, and Cubs in their sights.

Five bargain hitters are surging for Week 22 waiver pickups: Hayes, McNeil, Teel, Baty, and Nootbaar. Hayes’ move to Cincinnati has boosted his bat with lower ground-ball rates and higher hard contact, flagging him for everyday duty as the Reds chase a postseason spot. McNeil has heated up in the Mets’ productive middle, delivering consistent multi-hit games and RBI. Teel is showing upside behind the White Sox plate, while Baty is finally turning his Mets offense into a reliable contributor. Nootbaar continues to provide top-of-order production for St. Louis. In many leagues these names float on waivers, offering short-term boosts with longer-term upside as August closes out.