Top 20 Florida State League Prospects

[ashbury]

He also appeared to square more up on the ball. 

Good to hear. He was my Adopt-A-Prospect here, but I didn't see him in person, and I was guessing he might be using tactics that work against pitchers in the lower minors but won't carry over has he moves up - doinking it out to short right field with an inside out swing or whatever. Your news is better, as it sounds as if he is gaining experience in pitch recognition and actually doing something with the pitches he can handle.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

24 year old 5'11" bulldog Low-D-1 College pitcher vs. 20 year old 6'3" HS Athletic Stud High Major QB still learning how to pitch-

 

Not comparable-

 

but that's a nice rhyme and it might be the mantra that keeps propelling the Little Engine that Could ever forward.  (BTW,, it's "Mat").

 

Batts didn't qualify because he didn't throw enough innings. He wouldn't have made it anyway, but he did make the "other notables" section (along with Tyler Jay) in the print edition. (His inclusion was partly influenced by the fact the he was a BA intern and they love his success.)

[howieramone2]

 

Because Stewart has only been dedicated to baseball since the Twins signed him, I wouldn't be surprised to see a breakthrough season next year. He's certainly a premium athlete.

I agree. Jim Callis referred to him as a frontline starter who has lost some lustre. A high level two sport athlete whose makeup is probably off the charts.

[Mike Sixel]

Yup, I think patience is important, and yet they've really pushed him. He's been OK at the levels he's pitched at but not dominating. If it was me, I'd start him back at Ft. Myers for a half season. No harm in that. He's still young. See if he can dominate a little bit for a month or two. It wouldn't set him back, and he can continue to progress.

this is one of those rare times we agree on this "hold him back" strategy, Seth.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Good to hear. He was my Adopt-A-Prospect here, but I didn't see him in person, and I was guessing he might be using tactics that work against pitchers in the lower minors but won't carry over has he moves up - doinking it out to short right field with an inside out swing or whatever. Your news is better, as it sounds as if he is gaining experience in pitch recognition and actually doing something with the pitches he can handle.

His biggest test will be in AA next year with the more advanced pitching prospects, as long as his D stays stellar and OPS around .600 he'll keep climbing up the system and the more pitches he sees the more likely he'll improve his contact and walk rate.  He's posted a ~.315 BABIP over last two seasons in A ball leagues I'm interested in seeing if he keeps that up.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

 

this is one of those rare times we agree on this "hold him back" strategy, Seth.

Well I nominate one of you guys to tell him, because he's going to be pissed off returning to Fort Myers to start 2016 despite his numbers warranting it.

[TRex]

Hey Bob,

You mentioned one of the things Stewart needs to improve on is pitch sequencing. Is there a lot of shaking off of signs in the low minors (or does Stewart shake the catcher off more than other pitchers)? If so, could it be one of those times that, in order to be convinced, he really needs to 'fail'? In which case starting him in AA next year may be a good idea.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Hey Bob,

You mentioned one of the things Stewart needs to improve on is pitch sequencing. Is there a lot of shaking off of signs in the low minors (or does Stewart shake the catcher off more than other pitchers)? If so, could it be one of those times that, in order to be convinced, he really needs to 'fail'? In which case starting him in AA next year may be a good idea.

Usually in Low levels there isn't much of an issue with shaking of signs as it's often coming from the dugout depending on the team.  Of course there are always pitchers who think they know better than their catcher or manager, I'm not saying Kohl is one of them but I'm definitely not saying otherwise.  Personally after the last two years of seeing how he interacts with staff, coaches, and fans, he comes off as pretty arrogant and him being humbled with failure might not be a bad thing.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

Usually in Low levels there isn't much of an issue with shaking of signs as it's often coming from the dugout depending on the team.  Of course there are always pitchers who think they know better than their catcher or manager, I'm not saying Kohl is one of them but I'm definitely not saying otherwise.  Personally after the last two years of seeing how he interacts with staff, coaches, and fans, he comes off as pretty arrogant and him being humbled with failure might not be a bad thing.

 

Telling.

[bluechipper]

 

Usually in Low levels there isn't much of an issue with shaking of signs as it's often coming from the dugout depending on the team.  Of course there are always pitchers who think they know better than their catcher or manager, I'm not saying Kohl is one of them but I'm definitely not saying otherwise.  Personally after the last two years of seeing how he interacts with staff, coaches, and fans, he comes off as pretty arrogant and him being humbled with failure might not be a bad thing.

Sounds like a great guy to root for!

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Sounds like a great guy to root for!

I might be biased but Kohl Stewart is the antithesis of Jose Berrios, who probably has the best stuff in organization yet is also extremely coachable and an amazing person to boot. 

 

On Kohl, I've heard the stories from Twins' fans who live in Iowa (when he played at Cedar Rapids) about how he'd blow off player-fan meet and greets before the game (a staple of minor league ball), was cantankerous to be around, and I've had a few not so warm encounters with him myself albeit he was better in Fort Myers.  Still the most telling was an unnamed coach (believe it or not they do read boards) telling me Kohl's "hard headed" and that seemed like it was being nice.  Seems like he would have been a perfect replacement for Manziel at Texas A&M

[ashbury]

Still the most telling was an unnamed coach (believe it or not they do read boards) telling me Kohl's "hard headed"

Would it have been better if he'd told you a highly touted prospect was soft-headed?

[clutterheart]

 

I might be biased but Kohl Stewart is the antithesis of Jose Berrios, who probably has the best stuff in organization yet is also extremely coachable and an amazing person to boot. 

 

On Kohl, I've heard the stories from Twins' fans who live in Iowa (when he played at Cedar Rapids) about how he'd blow off player-fan meet and greets before the game (a staple of minor league ball), was cantankerous to be around, and I've had a few not so warm encounters with him myself albeit he was better in Fort Myers.  Still the most telling was an unnamed coach (believe it or not they do read boards) telling me Kohl's "hard headed" and that seemed like it was being nice.  Seems like he would have been a perfect replacement for Manziel at Texas A&M

 

This tells me its almost a lock to pencil him in the FM rotation next year.    If memory serves they did the same with Sano when they thought he was showboating HR's.  

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Most of these kids are coddled their whole lives and need to learn a little humility.  Not sure if Kohl is one of those or not, but if he is, restarting at FTM isn't necessarily a bad thing for him.  His numbers were a bit borderline from a promotion standpoint anyways.  He needs to get more Ks. 

[howieramone2]

Kohl Stewart was brought in to be a frontline starter, not teach Sunday School.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Kohl Stewart was brought in to be a frontline starter, not teach Sunday School.

 

Wholeheartedly agree, the problem though is that right now he's shown no indication of being able to do either... and if he's uncoachable and hard headed, perhaps he should spend additional time in Sunday school, b/c he's not going to be a front line starter if he is.