Brock Stewart: The Overlooked Reliever Who Holds the Key to a Dominant Bullpen

[Matthew Taylor]

Brock Stewart’s return to the mound on Wednesday marks the comeback of the reliever many forgot about due to injury. Now, he’s set to be the linchpin that strengthens the Twins' bullpen and takes it from solid to one of the most formidable in baseball.

Image courtesy of © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

 

For the first time in 10 months, Brock Stewart stepped onto the mound in a game, and it did not take long to remember why he was such a crucial piece of the Minnesota Twins bullpen in 2023 and the early parts of 2024. Manager Rocco Baldelli summed up the performance well:

“I thought Brock was the highlight of the day for me watching the game. The stuff looked like vintage Brock Stewart. I think he was pumped to be back out there on the mound.”

It’s been quite the journey for Stewart. Signed by the Twins to a Minor League deal in 2023, he hadn’t pitched in a Major League game since 2019 due to injuries and a stint in the Independent League. Once a highly regarded prospect, Stewart flashed the ability that scouts long believed he had, posting an astounding 0.65 ERA while striking out 12.07 batters per nine innings. He carried that dominance into the 2023 season, looking like a vital piece of the bullpen before shoulder tendinitis derailed his season.

Given his extended absence, it’s understandable that Stewart may have slipped from fans’ minds. But make no mistake—when healthy, he is one of the best relievers in baseball and a game-changer for the Twins' bullpen. His presence alone creates a domino effect, strengthening the entire bullpen.

If Stewart is throwing the seventh inning, now Cole Sands, who broke out as a solid seventh-inning option for the Twins, can instead pitch in a sixth-inning role and be outstanding. The domino effect is real and makes a big difference. With Stewart healthy and pitching at a high level, some of the high-leverage pressure on Griffin Jax can come off, and Jhoan Duran can focus solely on being the dominant closer that he is. The result? One of the most formidable bullpen back-ends in the league, capable of matching up with any contender.

Of course, health will always be the key. Stewart has proven that when he is on the mound, he is elite. The Twins’ challenge is ensuring that he stays there. His careful buildup this spring is no cause for concern—it is the right approach to preserve him for the long haul, and while Spring Training stats aren't anything to put stock in, seeing him look like the pitcher we've seen before was important. As Baldelli noted:

“He was in and around the zone the whole outing with really good stuff. And I think from there we can hone it in. You know, get what we’re looking for out of all these outings. But for a first outing, that’s what you’re hoping to see from Brock Stewart.”

The numbers backed up Baldelli’s excitement. Stewart’s fastball averaged 96.5 MPH and topped out at 97.5 MPH—just a tick above his 97.3 MPH average from last season when he was fully healthy. More importantly, he appeared comfortable on the mound, an encouraging sign for someone who missed significant time with a shoulder injury last year.

It’s likely the Twins will continue to be cautious with Stewart throughout the season, potentially limiting back-to-back appearances and strategically giving him rest when needed. The priority is ensuring he is at full strength when it matters most—in October. The trio of Stewart, Jax, and Duran could be a difference-maker in a playoff series, shutting down opposing lineups in the late innings.

It’s easy to overlook Stewart, given the time he has missed, but that should change quickly. His dominance is real, and his presence in the bullpen is transformative. If the Twins can keep him healthy, they have one of the best relievers in baseball ready to make a major impact in 2024.

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Are you excited about Brock Stewart in 2025? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

 

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[Fatbat]

Yes! This is exciting to see Stewart throwing darts!  There may be an opportunity for him to be a set up man if Castellano/Alcala, Sands, Jax team up to be a 7/8/9 inning trio while Varland,Stewart,Duran are the 1st closing trio.  
There are a few different combinations that could be sent out every other day and obviously each game is different but having Stewart healthy and thriving is a huge deal for our bullpen!!
 

[Doctor Gast]

I haven't forgotten Stewart. I've been patiently waiting for his return. Now, the goal should be to keep him healthy for the postseason, whatever that entails.

[rdehring]

Let's add Varland to this discussion and have a shutdown Group of Four!

Not only being formidable, that would give each a day off every couple days.

[tony&rodney]

Starters should push towards 7 innings (at least finish 6 IP) and the bullpen will be fine. The issues arrive when the the pen is forced into too many appearances and innings. 

The bats need to do their job this season. Once again though, the Twins will concede runs via a defense that can only reach average if everything goes perfectly. Why does it seem like two fellas not being counted on are keys to the season, Julien and Keaschall? I ask that because it feels like we know what we can get from the other players. Then again, perhaps a couple of rookies emerge unexpectedly.

[old nurse]

Brock Stewart should  be “overlooked” 5 years of injuries would suggest that anything the team gets out of him is a bonus. 

[USAFChief]

I hope Brock Stewart isn't the key to anything.

He's reached 30 IP once in his career. Once, 8 years ago.

And outside of a short stretch in 2023, has been thoroughly unremarkable. Below average, even.

 

[ashbury]

6 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I hope Brock Stewart isn't the key to anything.

He's reached 30 IP once in his career. Once, 8 years ago.

And outside of a short stretch in 2023, has been thoroughly unremarkable. Below average, even.

 

Concur.  Stewart's low IP in the majors isn't due solely to injury.  It's also due to him racking up a decent number of innings, but below the major league level, during his mid-20s, a period when good pitchers usually have established themselves.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I don’t think he’s overlooked as much as put out of mind because his health has been so unreliable.  When healthy, he’s been excellent.  When he’s not available, he’s completely useless to the point that the team needs to design their bullpen without him necessarily in it and then think of him as a bonus reliever when he’s healthy.  He has been really good, but at this point he’s just a bonus for me.  

[KirbyDome89]

Stewart is closer to overrated rather than overlooked. 

[DocBauer]

I haven't forgotten him at all. I've also been patiently hoping for a healthy return. One inning at a time, and no back to back days. He doesn't MAKE the bullpen, but he sure adds to it. Honestly, I'd pray for 50IP, but would settle for 40.

PURE STUFF, I don't know that the Twins have ever had a pen this deep with guys who can really bring it; Duran, Jax, Stewart, Alcala, and Sands. And it's looking more and more like Varland is going to grab a spot as well. That's 6 guys who all comfortably sit at 95mph and all touch 97+.

I know some aren't big fans of Varland. He didn't have a very good 2024. And he's been inconsistent as a starter. But even as a starter, he was often very good for a couple of innings, even on his not so good days. And we saw some real flash from him late in 2023. Somewhat similar to Sands last year, he now gets to concentrate on being a reliever. And he doesn't begin with the pressure of being an 8th or 9th inning guy.

Alcala has shown what he can do when turned loose for 1 IP at a time. But he was over used early in 2024 with the excuse of "someone has to throw innings". And I've read various comments that he wasn't over used  as his 58 IP over 50 appearances seems right line with a normal reliver. But that's not accurate. He was throwing 30-40 pitches early in 2024 over 2 and 2+ innings at times. Later in the season, he was throwing 1 inning, or less than that. Therefore, his TOTAL IP for the season seem in line, but for a guy who had barely seen the field the previous 2 seasons, the actual story is mis-use that helped lead to an arm that got tired at the end.

Stewart may or may not be in excellent health with the cleanup he got at the end of 2024. Of course, he's stated his arm feels terrific! Let's hope that's the case, because even 40 innings spaced over an entire season in tight or crucial games DOES make a difference. The Twins AREN'T going to use 8 RP in 2025. They're going to use at least 12 barring amazing luck. That doesn't mean Stewart can't be a difference maker with as few as 40 IP.

[jud6312]

It's nice to see some new potential bangers on this site for a change. Sure, "Healthy Buxton is an MVP Candidate" is a jam, but "Brock is Elite if his Arm Doesn't Fall Off Again" has serious potential.

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I haven't forgotten him at all. I've also been patiently hoping for a healthy return. One inning at a time, and no back to back days. He doesn't MAKE the bullpen, but he sure adds to it. Honestly, I'd pray for 50IP, but would settle for 40.

PURE STUFF, I don't know that the Twins have ever had a pen this deep with guys who can really bring it; Duran, Jax, Stewart, Alcala, and Sands. And it's looking more and more like Varland is going to grab a spot as well. That's 6 guys who all comfortably sit at 95mph and all touch 97+.

I know some aren't big fans of Varland. He didn't have a very good 2024. And he's been inconsistent as a starter. But even as a starter, he was often very good for a couple of innings, even on his not so good days. And we saw some real flash from him late in 2023. Somewhat similar to Sands last year, he now gets to concentrate on being a reliever. And he doesn't begin with the pressure of being an 8th or 9th inning guy.

Alcala has shown what he can do when turned loose for 1 IP at a time. But he was over used early in 2024 with the excuse of "someone has to throw innings". And I've read various comments that he wasn't over used  as his 58 IP over 50 appearances seems right line with a normal reliver. But that's not accurate. He was throwing 30-40 pitches early in 2024 over 2 and 2+ innings at times. Later in the season, he was throwing 1 inning, or less than that. Therefore, his TOTAL IP for the season seem in line, but for a guy who had barely seen the field the previous 2 seasons, the actual story is mis-use that helped lead to an arm that got tired at the end.

Stewart may or may not be in excellent health with the cleanup he got at the end of 2024. Of course, he's stated his arm feels terrific! Let's hope that's the case, because even 40 innings spaced over an entire season in tight or crucial games DOES make a difference. The Twins AREN'T going to use 8 RP in 2025. They're going to use at least 12 barring amazing luck. That doesn't mean Stewart can't be a difference maker with as few as 40 IP.

We disagree on Alcala details - that’s all. He had a 1.08 WHIP & 3.24 ERA with 58K’s in 58.1 innings…….really very good overall! He appeared in 54 games not 50. He had 3-4 not great outings…….pretty typical for any reliever or any pitcher over 54 appearances. My position is just because a player doesn’t shine 100% of the time it’s not mismanagement. IMO, he’s mentally fragile - trouble focusing at times……him & 75% of pitchers in MLB.

Bullpens - individuals in bullpens get stressed. Roles evolve through the season. Sands was a “long guy” and then became more situational through the season. Alcala’s role evolved. He went into the Rangers game with a 4-0 lead & got roughed up over 9 pitches - his ERA was around 2.00 or less going into the game. That was middle of August, long after any multiple inning appearances. ………he threw 58.1 innings all year (understood he threw in St Paul as well)……not exactly a terrible load.

I look forward to him being the solid #3-#5 guy in ‘25!

Brock Stewart - as many here state, getting 40 innings from him over 6 months may be the realistic ceiling. I certainly don’t see him as a “lynchpin”. He’s fun to watch when he’s healthy.