DJ Stewart vs Chris Shaw

[wildcard]

There seems to be a sentiment on the OH that we have to get DJ Stewart at bats this year to see what he may develop into but there is hardly any mention of Chris Shaw.   They're two very similar players:

1. Both just turned 27 years old. Neither is established in the majors.

2. Stewart was the #25 pick in the 2015 draft. Shaw was pick with the 31st pick in the same draft.

3. Both are offense over defense players.  Stewart a corner outfielder/DH.  Shaw a 1B/LF/DH.  If either are able to stick in the majors it will be because  of their bat.

4. They are both lefthanded bats.

5. They both have an option left.

With Santander, Hays, Mullins and Mountcastle ahead on them in the outfield its likely their best shot  at playing time with the O's this coming season would be DH.  But that only works if Mancini is at 1B and Mountcastle at LF.   When Diaz is promoted he probably pushes Mountcastle to play more 1B and Mancini to play more DH which leaves Stewart/Shaw out of the lineup and maybe optioned to AAA.  

The things that makes opportunities for Stewart/Shaw are:

1. Diaz beginning the season in AAA.

2. Injuries to an outfielder or 1B/DH.

3. Mancini being traded mid season or not coming back to full health and productivity.

I don't think we should think of Stewart as a better player than Shaw.  I think they come into ST fighting for the same spot on the team.

 

 

[Philip]

Did Shaw catch a fly ball with the top of his head? Asking for a friend.

[wildcard]

1 hour ago, Philip said:

Did Shaw catch a fly ball with the top of his head? Asking for a friend.

If you are comparing him to Stewart, I don't think Stewart caught that ball.  But it did leave an impression.  In more ways than one.

[Can_of_corn]

12 minutes ago, wildcard said:

If you are comparing him to Stewart, I don't think Stewart caught that ball.  But it did leave an impression.  In more ways than one.

I wonder if Braves fans keep harping on the ball Markakis put over the fence last season or if they have learned to let it go?

[oriole]

40 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I wonder if Braves fans keep harping on the ball Markakis put over the fence last season or if they have learned to let it go?

Stewart has had more than one ugly looking play in the OF. In my mind he is strictly a DH and the only benefit he may have going forward is that he bats from the left. 
 

Same goes for Shaw though. I’m hoping 2021 helps determine whether one will stick around but I have my doubts. 

[Can_of_corn]

10 minutes ago, oriole said:

Stewart has had more than one ugly looking play in the OF. In my mind he is strictly a DH and the only benefit he may have going forward is that he bats from the left. 
 

Same goes for Shaw though. I’m hoping 2021 helps determine whether one will stick around but I have my doubts. 

He did.

But folks sure seem to like to harp on that one in particular. 

I guess they think it's funny.  I never find it funny when a player gets injured on a play but tastes vary.

[Sports Guy]

15 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

He did.

But folks sure seem to like to harp on that one in particular. 

I guess they think it's funny.  I never find it funny when a player gets injured on a play but tastes vary.

It’s his Jack Cust moment.  People tend to hang onto those things for years even though it’s one meaningless play in the grand scheme of things.

[OrioleDog]

This is like my favorite game, except with Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler Nevin, or John Means and Dallas Keuchel.

[Can_of_corn]

12 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

It’s his Jack Cust moment.  People tend to hang onto those things for years even though it’s one meaningless play in the grand scheme of things.

I don't know.  To me if a guy gets hurt, it's different.  It isn't funny it's unfortunate.  Who wants to keep bringing up something unfortunate?

[Philip]

Everybody has a “famous play.”

For Flaherty it’s the big double play in the Division series. For Joey Rickard it’s the ball he hit through the third baseman’s glove. For Manny, even though he has countless great plays, his “Famous Play”. With an assist from Gary Thorne, is”...he’s not gonna throw it away, he’s NOT GONNA THROW IT AT ALL...!”

Even if Stewart goes on to be a great OF, that’s still his signature play. And because that was such an unusual display, it will always be memorable, and thats ok. Pete Incaviglia can relate, certainly.

It doesn’t look as if he will go on to be a great OF, though.

[oriole]

2 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

He did.

But folks sure seem to like to harp on that one in particular. 

I guess they think it's funny.  I never find it funny when a player gets injured on a play but tastes vary.

It’s memorable but I don’t think it’s necessarily funny. It was like a scene from bad news bears with absolutely no exaggeration outside of the fact that he is not a child. 

[Philip]

16 minutes ago, oriole said:

It’s memorable but I don’t think it’s necessarily funny. It was like a scene from bad news bears with absolutely no exaggeration outside of the fact that he is not a child. 

I personally don’t think it was funny, it was just so....inept. I don’t remember whether I laughed, but I do remember thinking that it was just such a bad play. But it is definitely his signature moment.

[Philip]

The larger question is whether Shaw is actually Good enough to leapfrog into genuine contention for a spot on the roster, and I would hope that the talent level is high enough by now that that is unlikely.

[wildcard]

39 minutes ago, Philip said:

The larger question is whether Shaw is actually Good enough to leapfrog into genuine contention for a spot on the roster, and I would hope that the talent level is high enough by now that that is unlikely.

His talent level is pretty close to Stewart's.

[owknows]

26 minutes ago, wildcard said:

His talent level is pretty close to Stewart's.

Minor League Career Numbers

Shaw 18.2 AB/HR, .861 OPS, 28% SO Rate

Stewart 27.5 AB/HR, .790 OPS, 23 % SO Rate