- Full name Cory Stewart
- Born
- Profile Throws: L
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Stewart was the player to be named in the late-season 2003 trade that shipped Brian Giles to San Diego. While Jason Bay won the National League rookie of the year last season and Oliver Perez developed into a promising big league starter, Stewart struggled in Triple-A as he was hindered by a strained muscle in his side that sidelined him for six weeks at midseason. When healthy, he can be overpowering, with a fastball that reaches 94 mph and sits at 88-92 with good movement. Stewart has a big-breaking curveball that can be tough on lefthanded hitters. He lost velocity and the snap on his curve last season because of his injury, and he has a tendency to hang the curveball at times, which leads to home runs. He also needs to improve his changeup to give him a third pitch to keep hitters honest. Stewart will go back to Triple-A after his frustrating 2004 season and pitch in the rotation. If he stays healthy, there is a good chance he will make his major league debut sometime in 2005. -
The Pirates acquired Stewart in the trade that sent Brian Giles to the Padres. Drafted by Cincinnati in 1998 and released two years later after having shoulder surgery, he signed with San Diego in 2002 after one season in the independent Texas-Louisiana League. He was the Padres' best pitching prospect at the time of the trade. Stewart is a rare lefthanded starter who can overpower hitters with a fastball. It tops out at 94 mph and usually works at 88-92, and it has good movement. He complements his heater with a big-breaking curveball. He's mentally tough, shown by his rise from indy ball refugee to prospect. Stewart's changeup is below-average, and he tends to telegraph it. His curveballs can be erratic, and he must improve his secondary pitches in order to remain a starter. He also loses concentration at times. Stewart will go to Triple-A in 2004 and should get a chance to make his major league debut late in the season. -
Stewart dropped in the 1998 draft because he was committed to Southwest Texas State, but the Reds signed him for a significant bonus. After he missed all of 2000 with a shoulder injury, Cincinnati released him and he spent 2001 in the independent Texas-Louisiana League. The Padres picked him up and he opened eyes by topping out at 94 mph last spring training. He began the season in the Fort Wayne bullpen but pitched his way into the rotation by mid- April. With a loose, easy delivery, Stewart throws 88-94 mph with so much movement that hitters rarely get a good swing against his fastball. His curveball is a solid second pitch, and his strong suit is his command. He's athletic, so repeating his delivery comes naturally. Stewart needs to improve his secondary pitches. He loses his curve at times, and his changeup is little more than a show pitch at this point. Though he's a classic free-spirited lefthander, his work habits are improving. Stewart is slated for the Double-A rotation this year. With Oliver Perez and Mark Phillips ahead of him, he may have to settle for relieving once he reaches San Diego.