5 minor league outfielders contending for a 40-man roster spot

4) NY Mets outfielder contending for a 40-man roster spot: DJ Stewart

Left-handed hitting DJ Stewart actually has much more major league experience than some of us may have realized. He had 318 of his 622 plate appearances back in 2021. Unfortunately, despite homering 12 times, Stewart batted just .204/.324/.374. His career numbers aren’t much better.

Stewart is another guy who can claim he is good enough to make a Triple-A All-Star team but doesn’t have quite enough to stick on a major league roster. He has hit for decent power in his professional career. Exclusively a corner outfielder, there is a lot less flexibility with him on defense.

Players like Stewart can create a little bit of excitement in the preseason and even once games begin to count. He reminds of Daniel Palka who hit a ton of home runs for the Syracuse Mets last year. Sadly, the need for players like this rarely occurs. Better hitters are often available. And because the Mets have some especially good prospects knocking on the MLB door, Stewart’s inability to play a whole lot of positions could get in the way. The ability to play center field alone could’ve been helpful.

Because Stewart can be called up and sent back down again thanks to a remaining minor league option, the Mets could promote him over Davis. It might depend largely on whose roster spot they’re taking.