MIAMI, FL - MAY 26: A detailed view of the Memorial Day Miami Marlins hat during the game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on May 26, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Carter Stewart is an elite talent with an absolute hammer of a curveball. Some evaluators have pegged Stewart with having the highest ceiling in the entire draft class, yet there is a chance that he is on the board at number 13 for the Marlins.
RHP Carter Stewart
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 200
Age: 18
School: Eau Gallie (FL) HS
Commitment: Mississippi State
Carter Stewart has top-five talent, there is no doubt about it. He has a fastball that tops out at 98 MPH and a power 12-6 curveball that is the best in the entire draft. Stewart has the raw talent to start on top of the Miami Marlins rotation, in four or five years.
He should not last 13 picks, but as Jim Callis noted in his latest mock draft, “high school right-handers often last longer than they should.” While MLB.com has Stewart as their fifth-best prospect, Jim Callis has the righty falling all the way to no. 15 to the Rangers.
This means that there is a chance Stewart will still be available when the Marlins pick, and if they are going by best player available, Stewart may end up being the selection.
This spring, Stewart’s fastball took a step forward. He went from topping out in the lower 90’s to living 92-94 and topping out at 98 MPH. Already a plus pitch, many believe that he will be able to develop it into a 70-grade or plus-plus pitch down the road.
Curveball: 65
The curveball is truly scary for opposing hitters. At the Tournament of Stars this past summer, it was on full display.
Stewart threw 13 curveballs that TrackMan registered at an average of 3,286 RPM. To put that into perspective, Stewart threw one curveball that had the fifth highest spin rate on a curve ever registered.
If you compared that pitch to major league pitchers, it would have a higher spin rate than current leader Garrett Richards. In 2018, Richards has thrown 91 curveballs with an average spin rate of 3,164.
Stewart throws the curveball in the mid-80s and uses it as a true swing and miss pitch. Most believe that this will be the second 70-grade pitch in Stewart’s repertoire.
Changeup: 50
The changeup is Stewart’s least developed pitch and at times he slows his arm down in order to control it which telegraphs the pitch. Most scouts do believe that he will be able to have the change as an effective third pitch.
Control: 50
While Stewart is not a control artist by any means, for a high schooler who throws 98, he has solid control. As any other pitcher, taking a step forward in pitch location is a key for him having success in pro ball.
Overall: 55
Just as every other high school pitcher, there are some question marks about Stewart’s game. His mechanics can use some refining and at times he struggles to repeat his delivery.
Yet, with that being said – the sky is the limit for Stewart. He has one of the highest ceilings in the draft and can turn himself into a legitimate front of the rotation arm down the road.
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
Comparing anyone to Kluber is a definite reach, but if everything goes right in the development of Stewart, Kluber is the type of pitcher that he can become. He has the two plus-plus pitches to put his pure stuff in the range of Kluber, yet further development will have to happen.
Kluber is elite when it comes to pitch location and the way he is able to mix his pitches. Stewart will need to develop in order to turn into a true pitcher at the next level.
Should the Miami Marlins Take Him?
The class of 2018 High School Player Rankings were updated today! Watch the curveball that helps make Carter Stewart potentially the first high school player drafted this year #MLBDrafthttps://t.co/T3C3FSalBlpic.twitter.com/3KZimQWmaq
If Stewart is on the board when the Marlins pick, they should put real thought into selecting him. While there is obvious risk involved, especially in terms of injury like every other high school arms, Stewart is a truly special talent.
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