Article: Kohl Stewart Reflects on the Draft & His First Year as a Professional

[Steven Buhr]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/3026-Kohl-Stewart-Reflects-on-the-Draft-His-First-Year-as-a-Professional

[jimv2]

This is a spectacular article. I wish there were a way to pin it to the front page of TD because it is the answer to people who keep asking why so and so hasn't been promoted given that his ERA/OPS/whatever stat you pick is so good. The answer is that's not what the Twins are measuring. They're measuring (for starting pitchers anyway) all the things Kohl is talking about, things that don't really show up in the box score and really don't show up in season-long stats. It seems clear from this that Kohl understands what it will take to succeed and where he needs to grow--at least for the first year or two. He'll be given more things to learn as he progresses up the ladder.

 

And I really liked the emphasis on the challenges inherent in going from a high school season to a pro season, you sort of have to train your arm to deal with the far more frequent use. I imagine that not everybody's arm can make that adjustment--another risk factor in evaluating players.

[cmb0252]

Thanks for the article. A lot of great info. I have been a giant Stewart fan since I saw him pitch last year. Definitely my favorite Twins prospect.

[amjgt]

That's a rag-tag group of lawn chairs

[Mike Sixel]

Very nicely written. Appreciate Kohl and the Twins giving us this insight.

[Carneal&Gordon]

Great article and appreciate Kohl's willingness to share his experience with the fans.

[Seth Stohs]

When the Twins drafted Stewart last year, he had a bit of a reputation of arrogance, not that that's a big deal. I do know that when I talked to him this spring, he was very good. From the look of this story, he was also terrific. That's great to see, and yet, I love when players do have great confidence because I think that's instrumental in them becoming great players.

[TRex]

When the Twins drafted Stewart last year, he had a bit of a reputation of arrogance, not that that's a big deal. I do know that when I talked to him this spring, he was very good. From the look of this story, he was also terrific. That's great to see, and yet, I love when players do have great confidence because I think that's instrumental in them becoming great players.

 

I agree… would a truly arrogant person admit that he has actually felt homesick at times this season?

 

I am also amazed how well this young man grasps that his goal is not 'to be the best MWL pitcher', but to prepare himself for MLB.

[Steven Buhr]

Yeah, amjgt, I should have done a tighter job of cropping that picture. My photographer friends are rolling their eyes when they see that, I'm sure.

[panolo]

Great article! Thank you! Even more impressed with Stewart after reading this!

[Steven Buhr]

I agree… would a truly arrogant person admit that he has actually felt homesick at times this season?

 

I am also amazed how well this young man grasps that his goal is not 'to be the best MWL pitcher', but to prepare himself for MLB.

 

I think you hit it right on the nose. Kohl obviously is a very good athlete and has probably been the star of every team he's ever been on, but I did not sense arrogance from him in the least. That doesn't mean he isn't confident in his abilities, of course.

 

As to grasping his goal, I agree. That also should remind us of the challenging job a pitching coach like Ivan Arteaga has working with pitchers at this level. Someone like Stewart is working on the goal of being the best MLB pitcher he can be some day, but a lot of other pitchers need to be helped to be the best MWL pitcher they can be today, just to survive another year in professional baseball.

 

Almost with every player interview I do, I gain more and more appreciation for the work that Arteaga, Tommy Watkins and Jake Mauer do with these guys every day.

[Seth Stohs]

The coaches, at all the levels, have a much more difficult job than I think we will ever understand. Different personalities. Different skill sets. Motivation. But I do think there is a consistent theme among coaches, because I heard it from Gary Lucas too, that the goal is to be the best MLB pitcher, not whatever league their in. So, it has to be about development above results until they get to the big leagues.

[DJL44]

I would forget about Stewart being promoted this season unless it is at the very end. He's essentially doing instructional work during games. He's improving his fastball and changeup while building stamina. Good things to work on.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I would forget about Stewart being promoted this season unless it is at the very end. He's essentially doing instructional work during games. He's improving his fastball and changeup while building stamina. Good things to work on.

 

Whether promoted after the AS break or not, it is good to see Kohl working on his pitches and mechanics. I still see him going to Ft. Myers in July as part of the Twins moving pitchers up--starting with Meyer to MLB. The big thing is that Kohl keeps working and improving as the year goes by. In any case, I see him in New Britain at the end of 2015 and maybe a Sept. call-up.

 

Great article. Thanks.