Texas Tech University Athletics
Zach Stewart Shines in Major League Debut
July 28, 2011 | Baseball
Stewart made the longest start in an MLB debut by a Blue Jays pitcher since 2007
June 16, 2011
LUBBOCK, Texas - Zach Stewart became the 22nd Texas Tech baseball player to make his Major League Baseball debut on Thursday as the starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Stewart received a no-decision in the Blue Jays' 4-3 loss.
Stewart made his debut a memorable one pitching 7.0 innings with four strikeouts while scattering seven hits and allowing two runs and one walk. His seven-inning start ties Josh Tomlin for the longest start by a Red Raider in an MLB debut. Tomlin pitched seven innings last year for Cleveland in a victory against the New York Yankees on July 27.
Stewart exited the game after seven innings with the score tied at 2-2. He retired the first six batters he faced, which are the second most consecutive batters retired by a Red Raider to start their debut (Tomlin, 9).
Stewart's seven-inning debut is the most innings pitched by a Blue Jay pitcher in his debut since Jesse Litsch pitched 8.2 innings (filling in for an injured Roy Halladay) on May 15, 2007, also in a game against the Orioles in Toronto. Litsch's debut is a Toronto Blue Jays franchise record.
Stewart is the 13th Texas Tech pitcher to make his MLB debut and is the fifth Red Raider to make a debut as a starting pitcher. In the last two seasons, Texas Tech has seen three of its former pitchers make their big-league debuts.
Stewart is one of four Red Raiders who are currently on an MLB roster, joining Cleveland's Josh Tomlin (RHP), Pittsburgh's Jeff Karsten (RHP) and Oakland's Dallas Braden (RHP), who is currently on the 60-day disabled list.
Stewart pitched for the Red Raiders in 2008 while going 3-2 with a 4.98 ERA in 20 appearances (three starts). He led the team with three saves and posted 43 strikeouts and 21 walks allowed in 47.0 innings pitched.
Stewart, the No. 4 ranked prospect in Toronto's organization, is coming off a 2010 season where he went 8-2 with a 3.63 ERA for Double-A New Hampshire. In 12 starts this season in Double-A, Stewart went 4-3 with a 4.39 ERA in 69.2 innings with 49 strikeouts and 21 walks allowed.
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.
More news on Stewart's MLB Debut:
- MLB.com (Blue Jays)
- MLB.com (Orioles)
- Toronto Star
- National Post
- Seattle Post Intelligencer
- USA Today
- Toronto Sun
- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
- Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas)
- Bluebird Banter
- Sports Net
- Slam Sports
Texas Tech Players Making Major League Debut:
Zach Stewart (2008) - MLB debut 6/16/11 - 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 (1994-95) - 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)
