Sal Stewart, honored by the Marlins in 2013, was honored by MLB during 2021 All-Star Week
Good thing Miami’s Sal Stewart is friends with fellow elite travel baseball player Carsten Sabathia.
Carsten’s dad, former MLB star pitcher CC Sabathia, noticed Stewart’s name on a list in an email invite for Carsten for the MLB All-Star High School All-American Game and MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby.
Stewart didn’t get the email. Maybe Spam did. Oh well.
Thanks to the Sabathias, Stewart responded. He thanked the Sabathias for the heads-up and then thanked MLB and USA Baseball for inviting him to participate in MLB All-Star Week. Yes, he accepted.
What a week. Stewart was one of the top high school baseball players from the Class of 2022 competing in the All-American Game on Friday and then one of eight selected from that group for the High School Home Run Derby on Saturday.
All on a major league baseball field, Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies and MLB All-Star Week in Denver.
In the All-American Game, former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle managed the National League high school all-stars, which included Stewart and left-handed pitcher Brandon Barriera from (Plantation) American Heritage High School.
Jason Torres of Miami Springs High School and Roman Anthony of Stoneman Douglas High School were part of the winning American League team. Each hit a home run, and Torres was named Game MVP.
Stewart, 17, resides in Westchester in Miami Dade County. He plays baseball for Westminster Christian School and the 5 Star National travel team. He deserved to be there, too.
“It was amazing,” said Stewart’s dad, Sal Sr. “I think MLB did a phenomenal job rewarding these high school students, who’ve worked so hard to get where they’re at. It’s a great program and gives [the high school players] something to look forward to.”
As for his son, Sal.
“Sal did exactly what I expected him to do: compose himself well, show respect and perform at a high level. We are very proud of him. He has worked hard, while maintaining a high academic standard. [Sal has a 4.0 GPA]”
His mom, Rosy, and his sister, Lindsey, are proud of him, too.
His parents accompanied him for MLB All-Star Week in Denver, while Lindsey remained home, working an internship. A graduate of St. Brendan High School, she is a student at Florida International University in Kendall.
MLB fit the bill for an all-expenses paid trip for the Stewarts and the other invitees. The Stewarts arrived in Denver on Thursday, July 8 and returned to Miami on Wednesday, July 14.
Stewart played in the All-American Game on Friday, competed in the High School Home Run Derby on Saturday, attended the Futures Game and MLB Draft Party on Sunday, competed in the finals of the High School Home Run Derby and watched the T-Mobile MLB Home Run Derby from field level on Monday and attended the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday.
When on the field on Monday during the MLB Home Run Derby, he saw so many outstanding players up close, including Yonder Alonso, Walker Buehler, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, “Big Papi” David Ortiz, Fernando Tatis Jr.
After the Shohei Ohtani Juan Soto first-round double-overtime MLB home run derby showdown, the high school finalists Stewart (Vanderbilt commit) and Jared Jones (LSU commit) took their turns. Stewart and Jones each hit five baseballs over the fence at Coors Field to become co-champions.
“It was much more fun [hitting] on Monday with the crowd,” Stewart said.
On Saturday, the eight high schoolers hit home runs in front of their families only. The top two (Jones with 30 and Stewart with 26) qualified for the finals.
Monday, fans filled Coors Field to watch the major leaguers and two high school batters hit the long ball.
“I didn’t feel any pressure [Monday], not really. I just went out there and enjoyed it.”
Stewart did watch some of the Ohtani/Soto battle from field level, but he spent more time preparing for his own home run derby opportunity.
https://www.mlb.com/news/jared-jones-sal-stewart-named-high-school-derby-co-champions
As a middle school baseball player for Belen Jesuit School, Stewart won a home run derby during the Ripken Experience Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was awarded signed bats from MLB brothers Billy and Cal Ripken Jr.
When the Stewarts were reflecting on home runs, Sal Sr. mentioned a fun, interesting fact.
Stewart was called up to varsity as an eighth-grader for Belen Jesuit School. His first at-bat as a high school varsity baseball player, he hit a 2-run home run in a 2-0 win over Sunset.
That was just one of many great moments in his young baseball career. MLB All-Star Week added to the memories.
“It was awesome, a great experience,” Stewart said. “I was super happy, and it was super to play with great players. I work hard for these moments, and all my hard work is paying off. I know I can compete on a high level successfully.”
Playing third base, Stewart went 1 for 3 with an RBI single in the All-American Game. Two balls Stewart hit were tracked as two of the four hardest hit balls in the game.
“It feels great representing the 305 the right way,” Stewart said. “To give my school exposure, too, is great. Mr. [Ben] Warren [Westminster Christian School’s athletic director] the whole time supporting me, the baseball team and the school supporting me, I can’t thank them enough for all the support.”
Westminster Christian baseball coach Emil Castellanos said: “So proud of Sal Stewart representing Westminster Christian and all of Miami. It’s a tremendous honor for him and his family, and we are blessed to have a player like Sal Stewart in our program.”
Stewart helped the Westminster Christian baseball team reach the FHSAA Class 3A state finals. A banner 2021 high school campaign, he hit .564 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI en route to earning Miami Herald All-Dade Class 4A-2A Baseball Player of the Year honors. He was runner-up in Class 3A for player of the year state honors via the Florida Dairy Farmers. He was named PBR Florida Player of the Year and Perfect Game Florida Player of the Year.
Stewart also played basketball for Westminster Christian, which helped him attain Miami Herald Class 4A-2A Male Athlete of the Year honors.
Sal Stewart honored in 2013
Miami Herald Neighbors Youth Sports Reporter Jacqueline Alman interviews Miami Marlins/Miami Herald Youth Honoree Sal Maxwell Stewart (Pinecrest Cove Preparatory Academy). Sal was one of five honorees acknowledged for academics in school and sportsmanship in baseball or softball before the Marlins/San Diego Padres game. Each honoree received two game tickets, complimentary parking, a certificate and an autographed player card presented by Marlins catcher Rob Brantly.
His dad, Sal Sr., was also interviewed at the event.
New coaches and award winners
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have new hires, or coaches and athletes who won special awards (local, state, regional, nationals), email hssports@miamiherald.com.
This story was originally published July 14, 2021 at 11:48 PM.
