2015 Draft Profile - OF - D.J. Stewart - Florida State - UPDATE 11-13-14

11-13-14 - Minor League Madhouse  - 11. Cincinnati Reds: DJ Stewart, OF Florida State - When I was looking for a suitable picture for DJ Stewart, one of the first things I noticed was his build, and I’ll be honest, he looks like he could be catching passes from Jameis Winston on Saturdays. That being said, Stewart is a tank. He’s atypical for a power hitter, drawing more walks than strikeouts, and he’s actually got the pedigree that could get him far, as his dad played in the San Diego Padres’ system. While the Reds have a solid outfield now, keep in mind that you don’t draft for need. That being said, chances are that Jay Bruce may be gone in a couple years, and Ryan Ludwick isn’t getting any younger, leaving Billy Hamilton, Phil Ervin, and Jesse Winker as the future of the Reds’ outfield, which to be fair, isn’t a bad thing, but again, power wise, these guys won’t scare many people. Assuming Joey Votto will be hitting his decline, it may be a good idea to get Stewart as power insurance and let him develop as the Reds’ future source of power. http://minorleaguemadhouse.com/2014/10/18/early-2015-mlb-mock-draft-part-1/

9-30-14 - 9-30-14 – Through The Fence - 13. San Diego Padres — D.J. Stewart, OF, Florida State - Stewart is one of the best bats in the 2015 MLB draft, and there has been a premium put on college bats lately, as evidenced by the Chicago Cubs taking Kyle Schwarber with the fourth-overall pick last year. Stewart, a 6’-0”, 240 pound left-handed hitter, is very similar to Schwarber offensively. He has an advanced approach at the plate, great power from the left side and should hit for a high average at the next level. Also like Schwarber, he is a very good athlete for his size with a strong enough arm and speed for left field. As a freshman, he hit .364/.469/.560 over 60 games with 25 doubles and five home runs. Over 53 games as a sophomore, he hit .351/.472/.557 with 19 doubles, seven home runs and 40 walks to 30 strikeouts. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2015-mlb-draft-mock-1-0/44039

9-11-14 – Fangraphs Top 50 Players in Draft - 22. D.J. Stewart, LF, Florida State: The 6’0/230 slugger doesn’t look like the typical first round bat, but he’s flashed above average hit and power tools with advanced feel for the strike zone and surprising athleticism from his football days http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-mlb-draft-top-51/

8-14-14 - 7. D.J. Stewart, OF (Florida State, Jr.). The Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year during the spring, he scuffled at the plate with Team USA but still intrigued scouts with his offensive potential. With his strength, bat speed, left-handed swing and patient approach, Stewart should hit for average. He has an extreme crouch at the plate, and some observers though he might tap more into his raw power if he adopted a more upright stance and pulled more pitches. Though Stewart is a good athlete for a 6-foot, 230-pounder, he's limited to left field.   http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/kyle-funkhouser-leads-list-of-top-prospects-on-team-usa?ymd=20140814&content_id=89585038&vkey=news_mlb 

Player: DJ Stewart
Primary Position: OF
Secondary Position(s):
Height/Weight: 6’0/230
Bats/Throws: L/R
Date Of Birth: 11/30/1993
School: Florida State
Grad YR: 2016
Previously Drafted: 2012, 28th Rd, Yankees

Scouting Notes:

2013 Notes

Strong, thick build Surprisingly athletic Open stance from crouch Shows ability to get the bat on the ball Above average bat speed Plus raw power Can turn on inside pitch Average runner, can cover enough ground in left Good arm strength Hustles

Video:

Awards/Achievements:

• 2014 NCBWA Preseason All-American 1st Team
• 2014 Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American 1st Team
• 2014 Baseball America Preseason All-American 3rd Team
• 2013Named the #67 Prospect in the CCBL by Perfect Game
• 2013 Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-American
• 2013 Perfect Game Freshmen All-American
• 2013 Baseball America Freshmen All-American 1st Team
• 2013 NCBWA Freshmen All-American 1st Team
• 2013 All-ACC 2nd Team
• 2013 ACC All-Tournament Team
• 2013 NCAA Tallahassee Regional All-Tournament Team

Quotes:

FSU Coach Mike Martin “DJ’s got ‘it.’ That’s what’s so impressive about him; he’s one of the toughest outs that we’ve had in our program. Very good outfielder. He’s deserving of every accolade he’s received”

6-30-14 - 

6-30-14 – Through The Fence – Early College Prospects - 5. D.J. Stewart, OF, Florida State - Stewart may be the best overall college bat in the 2015 MLB draft. The 6’-0”, 230 pound left-handed hitter has an advanced approach at the plate, can hit to all fields and has tremendous power. As a freshman, he hit .364/.469/.560 over 60 games with 25 doubles and five home runs. He is a very good athlete for his size and was clocked at 6.83 in the 60 as a senior in high school and his arm at 90 mph from the outfield. Over 53 games this year, he hit .351/.472/.557 with 19 doubles, seven home runs and 40 walks to 30 strikeouts. He most likely will play left field at the next level and the bat is elite. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2015-mlb-draft-early-30-college-prospects/43327

6-0, 230 pound Florida State OF D.J. Stewart

2014 stats - 53-G, .351/.472/.557, 7-HR, 50-RBI

As a afreshman:  .360/.469/.560

Tremendous power from the left side of the plate. Projects to left field due to only average arm.