Stewart’s bat gives him big league chance

Without much to look forward to this year in terms of the major league club, which is on its way to one of the worst seasons in baseball history, the Orioles’ focus will shift toward the next generation of players they hope will help reverse that before long.

The “One for the Future” feature, which began last month, will highlight an Orioles minor leaguer who is on the radar for either prospect status, performance or pedigree.

Next, a look at 2015 first-round draft pick DJ Stewart, who has risen to Triple-A Norfolk and could get his major league debut before long. The past: Stewart was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore at Florida State and only improved from there, hitting 15 home runs and posting his third straight season with an OPS over 1.000 with a 1.093 mark as a junior, leading the Orioles to select him 25th overall in 2015.

He broke out with 21 home runs and 20 stolen bases while batting .278/.378/.481 for Double-A Bowie last season, re-establishing his performance baseline and putting him back on track for a major league future in the process. The present: Stewart made an impression at major league camp this year before beginning the year at Triple-A Norfolk, and was rounding into form by late May when he hit the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Stewart was batting .271 with an .814 OPS and six home runs before the injury, and his form dipped once he returned.

Stewart, 24, has bounced back lately, homering in two of his four games before Tuesday, but entered Friday still batting .239 with a .759 OPS. He’s split time between left field, where he’s played almost exclusively since he was drafted, and right field, a position he played through college but came back to in spring training. The future: There are myriad reasons why Stewart’s future will include playing in the Orioles outfield, likely sooner than later.

What’s less clear is what Stewart will be at the highest level. His swing is still unique, but can get a little flat at times and limit the impact he can make on certain pitches. He has always had a good approach, posting at least a 12 percent walk rate at every minor league level save for that first summer in Aberdeen. A left-handed hitter, he’s hit same-side pitching well at every level, meaning he could play against left-handed pitching and doesn’t need to be limited to a platoon.

There’s just plenty of questions about a corner outfield profile without a standout bat and without the possibility of top-flight defense, which is where Stewart falls. That said, give him four at-bats a night and he’ll probably end up making an impact before long.