Christin Stewart Off To Fast Start At Double-A This Time

DETROIT—Christin Stewart got off to a bit of a slow start when he made his Double-A debut late in the 2016 season.

That wasn’t the case when he returned to Erie in 2017.

The power-hitting outfielder hit three home runs in a doubleheader on the second day of the season. He had five extra-base hits and eight walks before picking up his first single of the 2017 season.

Stewart hits for power and draws a ton of walks. That’s what he did in 2016, when he had 55 extra-base hits while playing at high Class A Lakeland and Erie. Stewart batted .255/.386/.517 and drew 87 walks in 128 games. Through 12 games this season, Stewart was hitting .238/.373/.571.

“He’s got big power,” said Dave Owen, director of player development for the Tigers. “Between Erie and Lakeland last year, he hit 30 (home runs), so he’s going to be a guy who you project to drive in some runs and hit the ball over the fence.”

Stewart, 23, bats lefthanded and is 6 feet, 205 pounds. His bat is what led to him being drafted out of Tennessee in the first round (34th overall) in 2015. He has hit for power and was named the Tigers’ minor league player of the year in 2016.

On the downside, Stewart does strike out often—131 times last year—and is not a naturally gifted defensive player. But ask Stewart where he’s improved the most since being drafted and he’ll mention defense in the same breath as his approach at the plate.

“It’s taken leaps,” Stewart said. “Just being out there every day, working with the rovers, playing with and against better players. Those are probably my two biggest leaps: Having a better approach each at-bat and defense, just getting better reads, better routes.”

Owen lauded Stewart for his efforts.

“He doesn’t take his defense lightly,” Owen said. “He’s not just a guy that comes and tries to hit. He’s really working hard with (roving instructor) Gene Roof in the outfield and you can see it’s making a difference.”

TIGER TALES

• Outfielder Anthony Gose, who throws lefthanded, faced live hitters for the first time in his attempt to convert himself into a pitcher.

• Righthander Sandy Baez was placed on the disabled list with an intercostal strain following his first start.

— Chris Iott is a writer based in Michigan