BRADENTON, Fla. — Outfielder DJ Stewart is getting a possibility with the Pirates, and he has made a great first impression as a hitter thus far whereas additionally studying to play first base. A fill-in is required there whereas Spencer Horwitz works his means again from proper wrist surgical procedure.
Stewart had an off-day Friday throughout Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win over the Rays at LECOM Park, however he’s batting .545 (6-for-11) with three doubles, 4 RBIs and a team-high six hits in 11 at-bats throughout 5 Grapefruit League video games.
“[Thursday, Stewart] obtained examined,” supervisor Derek Shelton stated. “He had two or three performs over there — needed to go to his proper. He’s been swinging the bat properly, and we all know he can hit.
“So, it’s a type of issues the place we’re seeing if he performs over there together with being within the outfield, as a result of versatility will certainly assist in that [roster] state of affairs.”
Has Stewart, a 2015 first-round Draft decide by the Orioles, made changes to his swing or strategy after batting .177 in 74 video games for the Mets final season?
“I positively made some changes,” he stated. “I went to Atlanta, at Maven Baseball Lab, and hit with these fellas. I went there and hit with [co-founder] Tyler [Krieger] just a little bit. My swing feels good the place it’s. I’m nonetheless working day by day and difficult myself on the issues that I deal with properly. And simply being actually good on the issues I’m good at, and never lacking these pitches.
“The most important factor for me was simply cleansing up my path [to the ball], staying by way of the ball and never coming round it. I really feel like I’m in a great place proper now, nevertheless it’s early in Spring Coaching, and I’ve obtained to maintain working. It’s a protracted yr.”
Krieger additionally works with All-Star hitting standouts Matt Olson of the Braves, Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals and Paul Goldschmidt of the Yankees.
Stewart has solely exceeded 200 at-bats as soon as in his seven-year profession. He batted .204 with 12 homers and 33 RBIs in 270 at-bats in 2021 with the Orioles. He hit .244 with 11 homers and 26 RBIs in 58 video games for the Mets in ’23, however he struggled once more final season.
What does he convey to the Pirates?
“I convey energy — left-handed energy,” Stewart stated. “I’m a nook outfielder attempting to study some first base, too. So, some versatility. There’s a necessity for a primary baseman proper now with Spence out.
“I am simply attempting to get a great group with the chance for the perfect participant to get on the sphere and assist them win.”
Stewart is working with bench coach Don Kelly — who performed all 9 positions in 9 seasons with the Pirates, Tigers and Marlins — and infield coach Mendy López.
“They’re telling me to make use of what I’ve within the outfield and simply be athletic,” Stewart stated, “and go on the market and simply make performs.”
Stewart performed catcher and first base in youth leagues, however he was “in all probability 12” the final time he performed first base till final season, when he performed 5 innings there on Might 6.
“In New York, they’d sure methods they taught first base,” he stated. “It was enjoyable, however right here it’s extra about simply being an athlete and going after it. There aren’t sure steps you need to take [with the Pirates], simply be athletic.”
So, Stewart’s fielding strategy is simplified?
“A hundred percent,” he stated. “It’s a brand new place, they usually wished it to be easy and get outs.”
Stewart additionally picks his teammates’ brains.
“Isiah Kiner-Falefa is without doubt one of the guys who’s helped me learn to be a utility man,” Stewart stated. “… I hearken to all the things he says.”
Rays supervisor Joe Maddon popularized creating tremendous utility gamers, starting with Ben Zobrist in 2006. Did Stewart ever foresee himself working to develop into one?
“Not likely,” he stated. “When it was first introduced to me [by the Mets], I used to be OK with it. It wasn’t actually stunning to me, since you see so many guys now. They need guys who can play extra positions, and it helps roster-wise.
“Early in my profession, I by no means noticed that. I’d rotate into all three outfield positions. However the best way the sport goes now, I don’t thoughts it in any respect.”
If he retains hitting, Stewart will likely be within the combine for a roster spot.
When requested what he likes about Stewart’s swing, Shelton stated, “It’s quick. It’s compact. He has an thought what he’s doing, and the power to get the ball out entrance and hit the fastball, which I believe is vital.”
