Miami Marlins Draft Prospect: Pitcher Carter Stewart

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.

Miami Marlins Scouting Report

*All grades can be found on MLB.com*

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/896907238090125312

Fastball: 65

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.

Should the Miami Marlins Take Him?

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.

Next: Miami Marlins Draft Prospect Brice Turang

If all goes right in development, Stewart can give the Marlins a top of the rotation arm for years to come.