Sal Stewart's Stellar Start: A Fantasy Baseball Gem

Sal Stewart's Stellar Start: A Fantasy Baseball Gem

Sal Stewart is making waves in the baseball world with his breakout performance this season. Since his debut on September 1 of last year, Stewart has ranked 13th among all hitters with an impressive 155 wRC+. His batting line of .275/.353/.601 during that time has only improved as he opened this season, boasting a .289/.388/.639 line through the first 23 games. At just 22 years old, Stewart is already proving to be a key player in a competitive lineup.

Despite teams having a scouting report on him from last season, Stewart has leveled up his game, showcasing his elite hitting capabilities. His solid .355 wOBA in 2025 has been complemented by an even better .398 expected wOBA, and in 2026, he has a .438 wOBA paired with a .419 xwOBA. This performance places him among the top hitters in the league, with only 13 individual hitter seasons out of 670 qualifiers since 2021 achieving an xwOBA over .419.

While it’s true that many hitters have had better stretches than Stewart, dismissing his hot start would be a mistake when projecting his future. The projections for Stewart have already changed significantly, according to THE BAT X projections from FanGraphs.com. His preseason projections for batting average (AVG) and on-base percentage (OBP) have increased, indicating that experts are taking notice of his potential.

For instance, his AVG has jumped from 0.271 to 0.280, and his OBP has risen from 0.328 to 0.348. This is a notable shift, especially for a young player who typically faces a steep learning curve at the MLB level. Stewart's movement from the 14th-best projected first baseman by wRC+ to the seventh-best is a testament to his rising stock in fantasy baseball.

BaseballProspectus has a stat called "Deserved Stats," which estimates Stewart's career line at .264/.342/.495. If he maintains this level of performance, he would rank as a top-12 first baseman and could climb even higher once he gains eligibility at third base or second base. Given the advantages of his home park, a mid-.800s OPS line seems to be a reasonable expectation for his floor.

In conclusion, Sal Stewart is not just a player to watch; he is quickly becoming a must-have for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. His early success suggests that he has the potential to be a top-tier player, making him a valuable asset for any fantasy team.