Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 40 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Stewart took home Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors as a Florida State sophomore in 2014 after he led the conference in all three triple-slash categories. He followed it up with a strong junior campaign, and the Orioles nabbed him with the first of their two first-round picks in June. After a sluggish start to his pro career, Stewart revamped his swing and began to put it all together in 2017, totaling 21 homers and 20 steals in Double-A. His production was less consistent last season in Triple-A, and he also missed some time with a hamstring injury, but the Orioles still gave him a look as a September callup, a challenge to which Stewart responded by hitting .250 with three homers in 17 games.
The open, over-exaggerated crouch that Stewart employed at FSU has evolved into a more upright and closed-off stance as a pro. It's enabled him to make better use of his hands and wrists, helping him catch up to velocity and tap into some power, though, overall, his swing lacks versatility. Stewart's patient approach and strong on-base skills have long been strengths, and he offers value on the basepaths with his average speed. A good athlete despite his stocky build, he's a fringy defender at both outfielder corners, but profiles better in left field due to his below-average arm strength.
After his first taste of the Majors last season, Stewart is positioned to see even more playing time in 2019 as the Orioles continue their rebuild. An everyday role might be a stretch, given Stewart's overall profile, but he contributes in enough facets of the game to serve as useful bench player or a platoon option. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2018 190 29 2 6.9 85.1 16.9 .180 .336 .373 .279 .308 31.0 25.5 8.5 2019 568 101 7 6.9 86.8 12.1 .227 .391 .299 .297 .319 34.7 18.3 9.9 ALL 758 130 9 6.9 86.5 13.2 .216 .378 .318 .293 .317 33.8 20.1 9.5 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 08/16/2019 Baltimore Orioles activated RF DJ Stewart from the 7-day injured list. 08/14/2019 Baltimore Orioles sent RF DJ Stewart on a rehab assignment to Norfolk Tides. 08/07/2019 Baltimore Orioles placed RF DJ Stewart on the 7-day injured list. Concussion. 08/06/2019 Baltimore Orioles recalled RF DJ Stewart from Norfolk Tides. 07/17/2019 Norfolk Tides activated RF DJ Stewart from the temporarily inactive list. 07/15/2019 Baltimore Orioles optioned RF DJ Stewart to Norfolk Tides. 07/15/2019 Norfolk Tides placed RF DJ Stewart on the temporarily inactive list. 07/11/2019 Baltimore Orioles sent RF DJ Stewart on a rehab assignment to Norfolk Tides. 07/04/2019 Baltimore Orioles sent OF DJ Stewart on a rehab assignment to Bowie Baysox. 06/25/2019 Baltimore Orioles sent OF DJ Stewart on a rehab assignment to GCL Orioles. 06/06/2019 DJ Stewart roster status changed by Baltimore Orioles. 05/28/2019 Baltimore Orioles recalled RF DJ Stewart from Norfolk Tides. 03/10/2019 Baltimore Orioles optioned RF DJ Stewart to Norfolk Tides. 09/11/2018 Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of RF DJ Stewart from Norfolk Tides. 08/27/2018 Norfolk Tides activated RF DJ Stewart from the temporarily inactive list. 08/24/2018 Norfolk Tides placed RF DJ Stewart on the temporarily inactive list. 06/11/2018 Norfolk Tides activated LF DJ Stewart from the 7-day disabled list. 05/29/2018 Norfolk Tides placed LF DJ Stewart on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 27, 2018. Right hamstring injury. 03/25/2018 LF DJ Stewart assigned to Norfolk Tides from Bowie Baysox. 02/01/2018 Baltimore Orioles invited non-roster OF DJ Stewart to spring training. 04/03/2017 LF DJ Stewart assigned to Bowie Baysox. 02/24/2017 OF D.J. Stewart assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 06/23/2016 LF D.J. Stewart assigned to Frederick Keys from Delmarva Shorebirds. 04/05/2016 CF D.J. Stewart assigned to Delmarva Shorebirds from Aberdeen IronBirds. 03/05/2016 OF D.J. Stewart assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 07/02/2015 CF D.J. Stewart assigned to Aberdeen IronBirds. 06/28/2015 Baltimore Orioles signed CF D.J. Stewart.
