The Orioles selected Florida State outfielder DJ Stewart with their first pick (25th overall) in MLB's first-year player draft on Monday. Here's what draft analysts around the country are saying about the organization's new prospect:
In a chat with fans, ESPN's Keith Law didn't sound impressed by Stewart.
I'm not sure what he can do. He's a first baseman who might have to be a DH. Who's the last college first baseman drafted in the first 2-3 rounds to become an average or better major-league starter? I think you have to go back a decade to find one.
D1baseball.com calls Stewart a "walk machine."
Few hitters control the strike zone like the compact Stewart, a walk machine with prodigious raw power from the left side. A former high school running back who is built like a fire hydrant, Stewart earns comparisons to Kyle Schwarber and Brian Giles.
Don't be deceived by Stewart's physical appearance, Sports Illustrated writes.
Stewart doesn't always pass the eye test with his thick and strong build, but he's been a consistent performer for three years at Florida State and for the USA National Collegiate team in the summers. He's a better athlete than one would expect, but his game and prospect status is still built around his plus bat speed and power potential. Stewart hit .322 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs this spring and has walked a very nice 69 times to go along with 11 stolen bases.
Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs concurs.
Stewart's frame and extreme squatting stance in the batter's box give him an unusual look for a first-round pick, but he hits, controls the strike zone and has done it at the highest amateur levels for years. He has 20-homer power that he should be able to get to in games and is deceptively quick for his size, owing it to his past as a high school running back, so he's good enough to play left field.
MLB Daily Dish writes that Stewart might be able to hit, but is limited defensively.
Stewart's bat should play well in Baltimore, but will need hone his craft in their system. ... In 205 at -bats this season, Stewart had a slash line of .322/.509/.580, with 13 home runs and 55 RBI. According to MLB.com's player profile, his power grades out at a 55, but could increase if he makes some adjustments to his stance and adds "more loft' to his fly balls. ... Despite his size of 6'0" and 230 lb, Stewart rates as an above average fielder, although his arm is less than stellar and likely limits his future in the outfield to left.
Some believe Stewart was the best hitter coming out of college this year, according to MLB.com.
Stewart hit everywhere he'd ever played before a surprising summer slump with the U.S. collegiate national team. It carried over to a slow start during his junior year at Florida State, though he turned it up a notch and went back to showing an ability to swing the bat well. There are those who believe Stewart has one of the best bats in the 2015 college class. ... Stewart has a quick left-handed stroke, strength and patience. He has plus raw power but he doesn't fully tap into it because he bats from an extreme crouch and has a flat swing. He might hit 20 homers per season if he stands more upright.
MLB Draft expert Christopher Crawford didn't rank Stewart quite so highly in this list of the top 15 college hitters.
I'm lower on Stewart than most, but I do see a guy who has a chance to be an average regular thanks to his strong understanding of the strike zone and above-average pop from the left side.