DJ Stewart. Photo by Ed Delaney, MMO

In the ever competitive environment that is spring training, DJ Stewart is looking to make a mark with the Mets, and reach the potential he’s been wanting to live up to, having been a highly sought out bat in the MLB Draft. Stewart, a non-roster invitee for the New York Mets, has been making noise with his impressive performance during spring training. On Sunday, he went 4-for-4 with a cycle against the St. Louis Cardinals and is hoping to secure a spot on the Mets’ roster for the 2023 season. Additionally, with the uncertain status of Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo‘s health, Stewart making the roster and continuing his hot spring performance would be paramount for a team looking for outfield depth along with more power at the plate.

Starting off against Dakota Hudson and the St. Louis Cardinals, Stewart would triple in the first to drive in two runs, adding to a five-run Mets first. Then, Stewart singled in the third and doubled in the fifth before hitting a two-run homer in the seventh to cap off the cycle. His home run went 351 feet to right field, ending up in the pavilion at Clover Park. During the broadcast, Stewart noted that he was supposed to be done for the afternoon but was able to make one more appearance, after convincing Mets coaches for one more at bat. Stewart also noted that it was the first time in his professional career that he had ever hit for the cycle at any level of pro ball.

After the cycle, Stewart has a .458 average with a 1.418 OPS for the spring so far. The Mets would sign him to a minor league deal and come to camp as a non-roster invitee before the spring and it seems to be paying dividends. He was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft. As a left-handed hitter with strong plate discipline and raw power, he was once considered a potential everyday left fielder. Stewart excelled up to Double-A, but when he advanced to Triple-A Norfolk in 2018, his offensive production started to decline. Despite a .235/.329/.387 performance with Norfolk that year, Stewart received his first MLB call-up. He played in only 17 games, but he managed to get over 100 plate appearances in each of the following three seasons.

In 2020, Stewart hit seven home runs with an impressive 17.9% walk rate in just 31 games. However, his overall numbers have otherwise been below average. In the previous season, he set a career high with 318 plate appearances, slashing .204/.324/.374 and launching 12 home runs. He maintained an impressive walk rate of nearly 14%, but his strikeout rate was at 28% for each plate appearance. For moments in his career, Stewart displayed the exceptional power that led him to be selected as the 25th overall pick and through many of those games, it seemed as though he was incapable of making an out. However, there were also periods where he found it challenging to remain on the field, frequently due to injuries. He has gone through numerous rehab assignments with the Orioles, which has undoubtedly impacted his ability to find a consistent offensive rhythm at the plate. More injuries derailed the start of his 2022 season and Baltimore would finally pull the plug, as they would designate Stewart for assignment in April, effectively ending his Orioles career. Stewart slashed .256/.390/.488 with Triple-A Norfolk in 2022.

As previously mentioned, raw power is DJ Stewart’s main asset, which is what made him an attractive target to a Mets team looking for more power at the plate. Stewart’s main hurdle is that his impressive batting average in the minors has yet to translate into the major leagues, and he has struggled to stay healthy and on the field. Now that he appears healthy, along with being in a new environment, Stewart is looking to prove to the Mets that his power remains as potent as ever and that he can find his groove as a major league power hitter. Stewart’s strong performance so far has put him in a good position to make the Mets’ roster for the 2023 season. If Stewart can continue to display his power and consistency regularly during spring training, he will have a compelling argument for a spot on the Mets’ roster as a left-handed bench bat, possibly serving as their fifth outfielder.