As Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich stood by waiting for a media teleconference with new first-round pick DJ Stewart to begin, Rajsich told Stewart he was concerned the Florida State outfielder wouldn't fall to the Orioles at No. 25.
"We're thrilled, man. It got a little hairy there for us," Rajsich told Stewart. "We didn't know if we were going to get you or not. You were the one we wanted all the way and I'm glad you got there."
Later, Rajsich explained to reporters that the way picks were coming off the board, he was concerned that Stewart, who hit 15 homers and had a .500 on-base percentage in 64 games for the Seminoles in 2015, would be snagged by another club.
"Beginning about seven or eight picks before we got DJ, I was starting to get a little nervous," Rajsich said.
Ultimately, the 21-year-old outfielder, who was hosting a get-together in Yulee, Fla., on Monday night, fell to the Orioles.
"I was surrounded with my friends and family and when my name came across the screen it was just a dream come true," Stewart said. "You think about your name being called your whole life and just to actually see it happen is just a dream come true."
Rajsich said he loves Stewart's combination of batting eye and left-handed raw power, and the organization is not planning to change Stewart's pronounced crouch in the batter's box.
"We'll send him out just the way he is. He's fine with us. He'll figure that out as he goes, I'm sure," Rajsich said. "But I don't think we took him where we took him and then want to make changes right away. … He'll find his own comfort level."
Stewart, the son of a former minor leaguer, said he has always hit with an open stance, but developed the crouch while a freshman in high school.
"The crouch allows me to see the strike zone very well. I feel like when my eye level is in the strike zone I can really concentrate on hitting good pitches … and being that low to the strike zone I can get strikes and take the balls I'm not supposed to swing at," he said. "I think that's what makes me great at getting on base. I just have developed it over the years and just continue to kind of use that to get my entire body into the ball … and generate as much power as I can from my body."
Stewart is listed as 6-feet, 230 pounds, which is more the body of a running back – which he also was in high school – than the typical big leaguer. But Rajsich said Stewart's strength and athleticism set him apart.
"He's strong, that's what we like about him, and he is durable and he should hold up to the rigors of a major league season, 162 games," Rajsich said.
Some scouts believe his future is in left field, but Rajsich said Stewart can play either corner infield spot well.
"I would classify DJ as a corner outfielder, not just a left fielder. There are some in this room that think he could play right field, also. He is a very good athlete. Don't take him too lightly, he's got great feet. We like his defense," Rajsich said. "And he can also steal bases. He is a heads-up, smart baseball player. He's got great makeup and he is a leader and all those attributes, that's what we look for and he's got them."
One hurdle is that Stewart is advised by Scott Boras, a tough negotiator. But Rajsich said the Orioles weren't scared off by any potential unsignability. The projected slot bonus for the 25th pick is $2,064,500.
"I hope we can get it done," Rajsich said. "I had no indication that he wasn't signable for where we selected him, so I'm assuming everything will go well that way."
When he is signed, Stewart will first report to the organization's minor league complex. Ultimately, he'll probably play at short-season Single-A Aberdeen this summer, Rajsich said.