Reds' All-Star Future's Game notebook

ATLANTA — In the home clubhouse at Truist Park, Sal Stewart is sitting at his locker with a Future’s Game t-shirt on and some of baseball’s other top prospects all around him. One of the veterans in the room pulls up a chair, sits next to him and chats with him for a while about the experience that Stewart is in the middle of.

It’s former Red Yonder Alonso, who’s broadcasting the Future's Game and is also a close family friend who’s “like a brother” to Stewart. They’ve known each other for years. Alonso has coached Stewart, and he watches most of Stewart’s minor league games. Reuniting on an All-Star stage has been a thrill for both of them.

Alonso is one of many who has seen a lot in the 21-year-old who has worked his way into top prospect status.

“The maturity is through the roof,” Alonso said. “His ability to learn daily is huge. Overall, the way he approaches the game and prepares for a game and studies for a game and adjusts during the game, those are things that really stand out for me.”

A few years ago, Alonso introduced Stewart to Manny Machado. Now, Machado and Stewart train together during the offseason. In a recent trip to Great American Ball Park, when Stewart’s name was brought up, Machado lit up and explained how proud he was of the season Stewart’s having. In Double-A in the Reds’ system, Stewart is hitting .306.

Recently, when Stewart learned that he was heading to the Future’s Game, Machado was one of his first calls. They’ll be seeing each other soon when Machado arrives in Atlanta for the All-Star Game.

“During the offseason, we set goals for ourselves,” Stewart said. “One of our goals was me in the Futures Game and him in the All-Star Game. We did that. On Monday, we’re going to celebrate. As soon as he touches down, I’m going to call him and ask where you’re at.”

Stewart is a gamer, a grinder and an old-school hitter. He has plenty of pop, but he’s more known for his consistent ability to hit line drives to all parts of the field. Stewart says, “The homers will come. I’m a big proponent of hit first and the homers will come.”

There’s a big focus on his defense. There was speculation a few years ago that he’d be a first baseman, but Stewart has proven that he can more than hold his own at third.

“His defense has gotten better,” Alonso said. “His base running is above average. People see he’s a big kid, but he can run pretty well. He couldn’t be in a better situation than Cincinnati. What they expect out of him is huge.”

Offensively, he’s the main cog in a strong Chattanooga lineup. The team won the first half league title in Double-A. There’s a wave of prospects at that level, including Stewart, Cam Collier, Edwin Arroyo and Hector Rodriguez, that have moved up through the system together and won together in the Minor Leagues.

“We always talk about it,” Stewart said. “The Reds, we need to win. It’s not an if, and or but. It’s nice to establish that early on in Double-A. I hope for a September call up and to help push for the big leagues. Whenever Tito gives the call and says, hey, we’re ready for you, I’m ready to win games. The standard is to play hard and play to win. I’m understanding that and trying to replicate that.”

Making the Future's Game fulfills a goal that Stewart set before the season, and his family is clearly thrilled. During batting practice, there was precisely one family standing in the sweltering 87 degree heat to get as close of a look as possible. It was Stewart’s family, and they all were wearing Stewart t-shirts and jerseys.

Now that Stewart made it here, he’s looking forward to the next goals on his list.

“This isn’t what I’m here for,” Stewart said. “I’m here to make the big leagues this year. I’m confident in what I can do. I know I can help the team win. Whenever that is, I hope to do it. I want to be ready for the show.”

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Nineteen year-old catcher Alfredo Duno, who has a .853 OPS with 20 doubles in Low-A, is one of the brightest personalities today in Atlanta. He’s interacting with just about every one on his NL team and is lighting up the room.

Duno has big power and a big smile.

“He’s an animal,” Stewart said. “He’s a great guy.”

Here’s how much power Duno brings to the table: Last year, he literally swung so hard that he broke his rib. He’s also set up to prove that he’ll stick at catcher.

“I feel really good. I’m more consistent with my defense now,” Duno said. “(The chip on my shoulder) is really high, but I just need to play the game the right way. That’s it.”

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A few months ago, it would have been a safe bet that Chase Burns would be here for the Future’s Game. Instead, he’s in the big leagues.

When asked about what Burns showed in Double-A, Stewart can only laugh.

“Does that answer your question?” Stewart said. “He’s hilarious. It’s strikeout, strikeout, strikeout. He’s awesome. He’s one of my guys.”

Burns has a fan in Rockies prospect Charlie Condon, who went one pick behind Burns in last year’s draft.

“I’ve got a ton of respect for him,” Condon said. “I’ve heard great things about him. I’ve never faced him. Obviously, he’s a really talented guy.”