The Tigers announced Thursday morning that they’ve designated outfielder Christin Stewart for assignment in order to open a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Derek Holland, whose contract has been formally selected. Detroit also placed right-hander Rony Garcia on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 29, with an abdominal strain.
Stewart, 27, was the No. 34 overall pick in the 2015 draft and was considered one of Detroit’s most promising farmhands for the first few years of his pro career. He mashed his way through the team’s minor league system and at one point carried the potential to be a bat-first option in left field, but his big league production simply hasn’t lined up with his minor league numbers. Stewart has appeared in 157 games for the Tigers over the past three seasons but posted a combined .225/.300/.376 batting line in 586 plate appearances.
Despite having huge raw power, Stewart’s exit velocities (career 86.7 mph) and hard-hit rates (32.2 percent) have never been particularly impressive. He’s probably been a bit less strikeout-prone than some feared when he punched out in 26 percent of his Double-A plate appearances, striking out at a 24.9 percent clip in the big leagues against an 8.3 percent walk rate.
Stewart still has three minor league options remaining, so it seems as though he ultimately just fell out of favor with the club’s decision-makers after his lack of production since his 2018 debut. The Tigers inked Robbie Grossman (two years, $10MM) and Nomar Mazara (one year, $1.75MM) over the winter and took an intriguing outfielder, Akil Baddoo, from the division-rival Twins in the Rule 5 Draft. Baddoo had a monster Spring Training showing, and Detroit also has JaCoby Jones and Victor Reyes (another former Rule 5 pick) ticketed for the Opening Day roster. Meanwhile, Daz Cameron and Derek Hill, another pair of former top picks with better defensive skill sets, will open the year at the team’s alternate site.
The Tigers have a week to trade Stewart or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. His raw power and trio of minor league options could pique the interest of another club with a need for some outfield depth. Stewart’s glove has long been considered to be poor, but he carries a career .264/.366/.501 batting line and 98 home runs in just over 2000 minor league plate appearances.
As for the veteran Holland, it was announced earlier in the week that he’d made team’s Opening Day roster. Those who didn’t track the lefty’s Spring Training may be surprised due to Holland’s struggles in 2019-20, but there was no way the Tigers were leaving him off the roster after he tossed 9 1/3 shutout innings with just six hits and one walk against a whopping 16 strikeouts during camp.
About Time to cut bait with this guy Stewart
Welcome to the Pirates, Rangers, or Orioles Christin Stewart!
Good!
Still a bit of a project, but I think he can be a fringe starter if things go right. He’s done nothing but mash in the minors, and never has never been old for his level. Plus only 18 PA this spring?
18PA this spring…and 587 major league over the past 3 years. You can have him dude. Good luck with your project.
You know your career is in trouble if the Tigers don’t think you are one of their 40 best options. Yikes!
I’m surprised they DFAed him with three options left. He seems worth taking a cheap flyer on, but the Tigers must really be convinced he’s not a big league player.
Either way, any time there’s a fringe outfielder with a shred of upside available, I usually assume they’ll end up with the Indians.
He’s not improving any part of his game.
I sure was excited when he was coming up as a prospect in the Detroit farm system. Knew his defense was below average but always thought his bat was going to make up for it. Maybe a new change of scenery would do him well.
Too bad…was hopeful his minor league numbers would carryover into the Bigs…he has been given numerous opportunities, perhaps it will click somewhere else
He’ll up being a star in the KBO
And off into the twilight he goes
See ya pal. It’s Baddoo time
Badoo isn’t starting today! Not happy
Nomar Mazara is….
I believe this was a poor move, I think Stewart is better than what they’ve seen out of him over such a small sample size… it takes many guys a few seasons to figure it out in mlb. There’s no way he makes it through waivers, and for a washed journeyman in Derek Holland, I can’t believe how short sighted this move is.
Did you not read the article man? Small sample size? He has three seasons MLB season under his belt. I like the move especially exciting to see the tigers do it. Let’s take a guy who is hot right now, rather then hold onto a bag of dreams.
Worst case scenario is he lands in Cleveland or Chicago, wins MVP and World Series title. I’m putting those odds at million to 1
Detroit sucks at developing talent, it’s no shock he failed.
Rather to see Goodrum go.
Wild take
I can see him as a guy who plays well in japan or the kbo, maybe he can claimed in waivers though.
The kid can’t play the outfield and he can’t hit major league pitching. Off you go.
That Charlie’s Angels reboot was the last straw
Sometimes, players need a reality check and a change of scenery to get their s–t together. I’m sad to see him go, but he’s never going to amount to anything until he moves on.
I’m still a big believer in Stewart. But, it is puzzling as to how someone with his minor league credentials couldn’t produce more in the bigs.
The jump in pitching talent from the minors to the majors is massive.
He was what ended up being the only compensation for losing Scherzer. He was a solid bat for years in the minors but playing in Comerica hurt his bat & exploited his lack of speed in the OF and highlighted his weak arm. He needs a small park & a change in scenery. Too bad but it ends as it should.