#7: RHP Zach Stewart

Name: Zachary Stewart
Position: Right-handed SP
Acquired: Trade with Cincinnati in August 2009 (drafted 3rd round, 2008)
Opening Day age: 24
Height/weight: 6'2", 205 lbs
Best/worst tool: Fastball/changeup

Scouting Report:

When originally acquired from Cincinnati, Zach Stewart was acting as a reliever due to his impressive fastball - slider combination. Both pitches are plus offerings, with the fastball sitting 90-94 mph while touching as high as 97 and having sinking action. His slider, whose biggest issue is it's inconsistency, sits in the low to mid 80's and he throws it primarily to the outer half of the plate with similar horizontal and vertical break. Stewart also throws a changeup, and since Toronto shifted him to a starting role he has been asked to use it far more often than he did as a reliever. The changeup is still a work in progress pitch, as when it is working Stewart can be very dominant pitcher. However, when it is off he often completely abandons the pitch and hitters take advantage of his two pitch repetoire. This is likely a maturity/confidence issue, and it's possible it could be coached out of him. Stewart's command is above average, as his 3.25 BB/9 over the past 2 seasons can attest.

2010 Stats: 136.1 IP, 131 H, 55 ER, 13 HR, 54 BB, 106 K
1.31 GO/AO, 3.63 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 7.00 K/9

2010 Analysis:

Zach Stewart spent the entire 2010 season with New Hampshire, his first year exclusively as a starter. While spending the year playing second fiddle to Kyle Drabek, Stewart was still impressive, albeit unspectacular. His strikeout rate was low, particularly for a 23 year old working the Eastern League with stuff like Stewart's. One possible explanation may be his focus on developing his changeup, or possibly an attempt to reduce his overall workload by pitching to contact and getting deeper into games.

2011 Stats (MiLB): 79.2 IP, 94 H, 40 ER, 5 HR, 24 BB, 59 K
1.18 GO/AO, 4.52 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 6.67 K/9

2011 Stats (MLB): 16.2 IP, 26 H, 9 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 10 K
0.83 GO/AO, 4.86 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, 5.41 K/9

2011 Analysis:

Stewart has split the 2011 season between New Hampshire and Toronto, with his major league debut coming as a three game audition during late June. His overall numbers took a step back from his 2010 pitching line, which is a bit concerning considering he is repeating the level and is now 24 years old. The largest difference is his hits allowed, as his batting average against went from .255 in 2010 to .296 in 2011. This could be for a number of reasons, none of which could be known without advanced metrics or by watching the games themselves.

He made 3 starts with Toronto, with one being good (vs BAL), one being mediocre (@ DET), and one being awful (@ATL). Given the strength of the offenses he faced, the pitching lines aren't particularly surprising. He showed that he can perform as a major league starter when his changeup is working, but when it's not, such as against Atlanta, he is going to be lit up. You can't survive as a major league starter with two pitches.

Future outlook:

Zach Stewart will be 25 years old at the end of the 2011 season, so the remainder of this season and Spring Training 2012 is the time for Stewart to show what he has and that he belongs. The Blue Jays are going to have a full rotation with higher upside pitcher for the remainder of the season, so it might be best for Stewart to follow suit with Marc Rzepczynski and make the transition to a reliever. The Blue Jays have a number of veteran pitchers who could be moved at the trade deadline (Francisco, Rauch, Dotel, Frasor), which could free up bullpen positions for excess young starters like Zach Stewart.

Perfect world projection: A #3 starter, if his changeup can be consistently average.

Worst case scenario: A middle relief pitcher, as his fastball/slider/command will ensure he reaches the major leagues and can stay there.

Most likely outcome: A #5 starter on a mediocre team or a late inning reliever on a playoff contender if his changeup can atleast be a show-me pitch.