The month of September is just around the corner, meaning that MLB teams will soon be able to expand their rosters. Christin Stewart is among the players who deserves a September call-up for the Detroit Tigers.
Next month, the Detroit Tigers will likely have a few players who will be auditioning for spots on the 2019 roster. One of them could be slugging outfielder Christin Stewart.
Using the compensatory pick they received when Max Scherzer signed with the Washington Nationals, the Tigers drafted Stewart in the first round back in 2015. Since then, he has done nothing but mash home runs.
During his first full season in the minors in 2016, Stewart slashed a combined .255/.386/.517 with 30 home runs and 87 RBI for Class A Advanced Lakeland and Double A Erie. The following year, which was spent entirely in Double-A, he hit .256/.335/.501 with 28 home runs and 86 RBI.
This season, Stewart got off to a scorching hot start in Triple-A Toledo. He was later slowed down by a calf injury, but overall, he has still had a very productive season in the minors this year. He has hit .252/.352/.462 with 21 homers and 71 RBI though 115 games in Triple-A this season.
With September less than a week away, one might expect that Stewart is among the Tigers’ most likely call-ups. While questions do remain about his defense, Stewart could have a prime opportunity to state his case to be the Tigers’ starting next fielder next season.
As it stands right now, Nicholas Castellanos can be expected to return to right field next season, assuming he is not traded over the offseason. JaCoby Jones, who has been an extremely impressive defensive player this season, appears very likely to be the team’s starter center fielder in 2018. Left field, on the other hand, could potentially be a bit of a competition.
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The Tigers still have Mikie Mahtook, who has struggled and spent time in the minors this season after a mini-breakout in 2017. They also have Victor Reyes, who was obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Rule 5 draft last offseason. Reyes hasn’t done a lot at the plate this season, but the Tigers have elected to keep him on the 25-man roster, rather than risk losing him due to the rules of the Rule 5 draft. They will, however, be free to send him to the minor leagues next season.
The Tigers have Mike Gerber as well. Gerber has put up impressive numbers in the minor leagues in the past, but he has struggled both in Triple A and with the Tigers this season. Gerber is currently on the Tigers active roster, but has hit just .095/.170/.119 through 18 games.
Lastly the Tigers also have Niko Goodrum. The 26-year-old Goodrum has made a name for himself as a super utility man and has spent most of his time at second base. However, he could conceivably be a candidate to compete for the left field job as well.
If he is in fact called up, Stewart could have a chance to pull ahead of the other 2019 Detroit Tigers left field candidates with a strong September showing. In a matter of days now, fans should know for sure whether or not Stewart and his thunderous bat will be headed to Detroit for the final month of the season.