Coming into the 2017 season, it could be argued that no Orioles prospect needed a big year more than D.J. Stewart. After being selected 25th overall by the O's in 2015, Stewart had a terrible start to his professional career.
For some, this was expected. Stewart put up huge numbers in college at Florida State, but his unorthodox low crouch led many to question how his collegiate hitting skills would carry over against pro-caliber pitching.
By the end of 2015, the answer appeared to be: not well. Stewart hit .218/.288/.345 (89 wRC+) over his first partial season with Aberdeen.