Texas Tech University Athletics
Former Red Raider Scheduled to Make MLB Debut Thursday
June 15, 2011 | Baseball
Zach Stewart pitched for the Red Raiders in 2008
June 15, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - Former Texas Tech right-handed pitcher Zach Stewart pitched one season for the Red Raiders in 2008, and now he is a day away from making his Major League Baseball debut with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Stewart will become Texas Tech's 22nd player to make their MLB debut, and its third in the last two years. With Stewart's debut on Thursday Tech will have had 14 players make it to the big leagues since 2000 and Stewart becomes the first player to make their debut during the Dan Spencer era. Stewart joined the Red Raider pitching staff the same season Spencer arrived in Lubbock as Tech's associate head coach in 2008.
Stewart, 24, received the promotion to the big leagues after making 12 starts for Double-A New Hampshire this season. He is scheduled to start Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles with an 11:37 a.m. (CT) first-pitch at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
In four minor league seasons, Stewart has a 17-11 record in 96 appearances (52 starts) with a 3.01 ERA in 344.0 innings with 284 strikeouts and 121 walks allowed. This season Stewart has tallied a 4-3 record with one complete game in 69.2 innings with 49 strikeouts and 21 walks allowed. In addition, Stewart is ranked as Toronto's No. 4 prospect by MLB.com.
In his season at Tech, Stewart went 3-2 with a 4.98 ERA and led the team with three saves in 20 appearances (three starts). He tallied 47.0 innings pitched while allowing 48 hits and 28 runs with 43 strikeouts and giving up 21 walks.
Stewart was taken in the 2008 MLB First-Year Players Draft by the Cincinnati Reds in the third round (84th overall). In 2009, Stewart was included in a three-player trade to Toronto for Scott Rolen on August 1.
Texas Tech Players Making Major League Debut:
Zach Stewart (2008) - called up 6/14/11 - Toronto Blue Jays (RHP)
Josh Tomlin (2006) - MLB Debut 7/27/10 - Cleveland Indians (RHP)
Dustin Richardson (2005-06) - MLB Debut 9/28/09 - Boston Red Sox (LHP)
Dallas Braden (2004) - MLB Debut 4/24/07 - Oakland Athletics (LHP)
Jeff Karstens (2003) - MLB Debut 8/22/06 - New York Yankees (RHP)
Chris Sampson (1999) - MLB Debut 6/2/06 - Houston Astros (RHP)
Joe Dillon (1996-97) - MLB Debut 5/18/05 - Florida Marlins (1B)
Steve Watkins (1998) - MLB Debut 8/21/04 - San Diego Padres (RHP)
Trey Lunsford (1999-2000) - MLB Debut 9/12/02 - San Francisco Giants (C)
Josh Bard (1997-99) - MLB Debut 8/23/02 - Colorado Rockies (C)
Travis Driskill (1991-93) - MLB Debut 4/26/02 - Cleveland Indians (RHP)
Stubby Clapp (1996) - MLB Debut 6/18/01 - St. Louis Cardinals (2B)
Matt Miller (1994-96) - MLB Debut 5/8/01 - Detroit Tigers (LHP)
Keith Ginter (1997-98) - MLB Debut 9/20/00 - Houston Astros (2B)
Brandon Kolb (1995) - MLB Debut 5/12/00 - San Diego Padres (RHP)
Travis Smith (1994-95) - MLB Debut 6/21/98 - Milwaukee Brewers (RHP)
Ryan Nye (1994) - MLB Debut 6/7/97 - Philadelphia Phillies (RHP)
Mark Brandenburg (1991-92) - MLB Debut 7/20/95 - Texas Rangers (RHP)
Donald Harris (1988-89) - MLB Debut 9/4/91 - Texas Rangers (OF)
Mike Humphreys (1985-88) - MLB Debut 7/29/91 - New York Yankees (LF)
Doug Ault (1971-72) - MLB Debut 9/6/76 - Texas Rangers (1B/LF)
Chuck Harrison (1961-62) - MLB Debut 9/15/65 - Houston Astros (1B)
