Dodgers and Brewers battle in MLB Free Game of the Day
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart started from the bottom, now he’s here. No, really. Just two months ago, Stewart was starting for the Single-A Rancho Cucamongo Quakes. On Wednesday, he’ll make his major-league debut.
That’s quite the rise for the 24-year-old. The Dodgers were aggressive with him this season, jumping him from Single-A to Double-A after just two starts, and from Double-A to Triple-A after just nine.
His performance probably had something to do with it. Stewart gave up just one run over 11 innings in Single-A, and then posted a 1.12 ERA in 56 1/3 innings in Double-A. Through three starts in Triple-A, he has a 2.89 ERA.
Whether that success can carry over to the majors is the focus of Yahoo Sports Free MLB Game of the Day on Wednesday. After a meteoric rise through the minors, Stewart will make his major-league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The game, which starts at 8:10 p.m. ET, can be streamed for free on Yahoo’s Sports Home, MLB index, video home and this very post. Local blackouts apply.
In Stewart’s case, both age and need may have played into his sudden rise through the system. At 24, he was already old for both Single-A and Double-A. Had he been on a normal major-league path, he likely would have already been in Triple-A.
Because of that, the Dodgers didn’t hesitate to move him quickly once he started performing well at the lower levels. Stewart posted a 5.43 ERA at Single-A last year, so it makes sense that the Dodgers would put him back there to open the season. But once he started playing well, they needed to see if he could prove himself against higher competition.
Thus far, it’s worked. While it would be nice to see Stewart get some more work at Triple-A, the Dodgers need for a starter has made Stewart the next man up. With Alex Wood and Brett Anderson currently sidelined, and Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-jin Ryu still a few weeks away, Stewart will be thrust into the limelight.
After facing hitters fresh out of college two months ago, Stewart will see if his stuff can play against Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy. That’s a tough task for even the most seasoned of veterans, but Stewart has handled everything else thrown his way this year.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
