While in Arizona this March for Spring Training, I was at the Cincinnati Reds’ Minor League complex waiting for a game between their and Los Angeles Dodgers’ A-ball teams. Before the games started, I struck up a conversation with a scout, who said he was hoping to see his son pitch. I asked what his son’s name was. He replied, “Brock Stewart.”
Stewart was selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2014 Draft. That seemed high, since he was drafted as a pitcher but had logged just 27.2 innings during his college career. He’d actually gone to college as a hitter, intending on playing shortstop.
Stewart committed to Illinois State, where his father, Jeff, coached from 1989-2002. After Brock signed his letter of intent, a local paper wrote a story about the one-time bat boy committing to play for his hometown team. When asked what Brock’s best tool was, Jeff said it was his arm.
After he was drafted, the Dodgers put Brock in Ogden’s bullpen, where he posted a 3.41 ERA in 17 appearances, including a start, and struck out 45 batters in 34.1 innings. He did issue 17 walks, but he quickly improved his control.
In 2015, he became a starter and found early success in the Great Lakes’ rotation, with a 2.84 ERA in seven starts with the Loons. He also substantially lowered his walk total and continued striking hitters out at a strong rate.
However, after a promotion to High-A Rancho Cucamonga, Stewart struggled to the tune of a 5.43 ERA in 18 games, 12 of which were starts. The player who reported to Spring Training at Camelback Ranch appeared much improved over the pitcher who posted nearly a 5.50 ERA in A-ball.
Stewart threw almost every one of his fastballs at 93 mph, with some late life and very good command. His slider broke sharp and late, and he even showed confidence in his changeup. He’s big and athletic, throwing slightly across his body which creates some deception and he pounded the strike zone. He looked like someone on the verge of a breakout season.
Unfortunately, his father wasn’t there to see him. I texted Jeff and told him how great Brock looked. Jeff responded by saying Brock needed to continue getting better. I told Jeff I was confident that he would.
Then the 2016 season rolled around. Stewart was back with the Quakes, where he’d struggled last year, and dominated in his first two outings, allowing just one run in 11 innings. The Dodgers quickly promoted him to Double-A Tulsa, where Stewart continued mowing down opposing hitters to the tune of a 1.12 ERA in nine starts.
Included in that were 62 strikeouts to just 10 walks. That prompted another promotion, this time to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he’s walked two and struck out 27 in his first three starts. With the Dodgers purportedly set to call up Stewart to start on Wednesday, it’s impossible to not marvel at how far he’s come.
Just two years ago, Stewart had only pitched a dozen times in college and, just last year, was struggling in A-ball. Now he’s going to make his Major League debut in Milwaukee, which is about three hours from his hometown of Normal, Ill. And his dad will be there to watch him.
