DJ Stewart Showing Off Serious Power

After the Mets’ trade deadline sale, the team was left with openings throughout the roster. In the two weeks since the deadline, the Mets have given chances to veterans looking to reestablish themselves as major leaguers. While the games may feel meaningless as the Mets sit at 55-66, DJ Stewart is one of the veterans looking to earn a job in 2024.

Stewart, the 25th overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Orioles, was never able to establish himself as an everyday player during his time in Baltimore and elected free agency after the 2022 season. He signed a minor league contract with the Mets in February and hit 16 home runs in 51 games for the Syracuse Mets. Since being called up to the Mets on July 4, the right fielder has hit .234/.339/.532 with four home runs over 25 games.

Stewart showed why he was a former first round pick in the Mets’ series win against the Pirates, going 4-for-6 with three home runs in his two games. After sitting in the series opener, Stewart came off the bench on Tuesday to hit a pinch-hit home run before adding a base hit in his second at-bat. He was rewarded with a start in the series finale, and he launched two more home runs and got his first outfield assist of the season on a perfect relay to the plate.

Hey Mr. DJ ????????@CoronaUSA | #LGM pic.twitter.com/H76jj8tOee

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 17, 2023

“What kept me going was getting back to the big leagues, ” Stewart said following the Mets’ win. “This game is unbelievable, I don’t take it for granted playing at the big league level … I have a little girl, diapers aren’t cheap, so that’s what keeps me going.”

While most Met fans would most likely prefer to see a young prospect (specifically Ronny Mauricio) get a late-season opportunity, finding a veteran who can be a potential bench piece for the 2024 season is also valuable.

For Stewart, opportunities in the major leagues are not a given. Despite being a former first round pick, the 29-year-old doesn’t have time on his side. The wrist injury that he was dealing with could have potentially been the final blow to his MLB career if he didn’t turn things around, as he was just 1-for-18 in the nine games before his big series against the Pirates.

“The work I’m putting in the cage is starting to pay off,” Stewart said. “Having a little injury bug behind me a little bit, finally getting a little healthy. I’m getting some good pitches to hit and not missing them and putting good swings on them.”

Stewart was first called up to the majors in 2018 while Buck Showalter was in his final season managing the Orioles. He only played in 17 games, but he hit .250/.340/.550 with three home runs over 47 plate appearances as a 24-year-old. Five years later and back under Showalter, Stewart is playing his best baseball since his initial call-up.

“These guys know what’s at stake, for the offseason and next year,” Showalter said on Wednesday. “They’re all trying to run with it.”

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