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Mets Hitter Slugging His Way To 2024 Roster

After the trade deadline, the New York Mets decided to fill up roster spots with unknowns. Players who might not necessarily be in their plans for 2024 and are just there for filler. Gone were the likes of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, David Robertson, Mark Canha, and Tommy Pham. In their place were Abraham Almonte, Danny Mendick, Jonathan Araúz, and Rafael Ortega. All of those players were not in the plans for 2023, but they were asked to play due to the Mets having a disappointing season. It’s what happens when you have a season like the Mets are having. However, one player has stepped up and is making the most of his chance. That would be outfielder DJ Stewart.

Mets Hitter Slugging His Way To 2024 Roster

DJ Stewart Giving The Mets Some Lefty Pop

Back in February, Stewart signed a minor league contract with the Mets. In his career up until this point, Stewart was with the Baltimore Orioles from 2018-2022. In that time, he hit 26 home runs, with his highest for a season being 12 in 2021. While also driving in 73 RBI in total with Baltimore. Season-high being 33 RBI in 2021. There wasn’t much to expect out of Stewart. Who can blame people for feeling that way? He was looked at as a body and even someone taking a spot away from a younger player—players such as Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty. However, Stewart has answered the call and has been red hot at the plate.

 

 

Stewart’s power from the left side of the plate has been a breath of fresh air to the Mets offense. They got little power from Jeff McNeil, and Daniel Vogelbach struggled mightily from April to late June. Brett Baty, who showed a lot of power in the minors, only amassed seven home runs before being sent back down in early August. Stewart’s nine home runs are more than McNeil and Baty each. Stewart’s hot streak would be beneficial on August 30th against the Texas Rangers in an exciting Mets win. It’s a win that now has a name from the fans in Queens.

The DJ Stewart Game

For Mets fans, there has been little to celebrate in 2023. So, any game like this one will be fun to look back on during the cold winter. The Rangers took the first two games from the Mets and looked for a sweep. On this night, Stewart put the Mets on his back. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, the big Mets left-handed hitters would go back-to-back. First, Vogelbach smashed his 13th home run of the season, followed shortly by Stewart. Giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

 

The Mets would take a 3-0 lead, but the Rangers would rally to go up 5-3 heading into the bottom of the 8th. With a runner on and 1-out, Stewart struck again, 

 

He also flashed some leather on defense. Saving the game for the Mets and keeping it tied up going into extra innings. 

 

Then in the bottom of the 10th with the bases loaded against Aroldis Chapman, Stewart got the job done without even swinging a bat. 

 

Stewart’s Chances Of Being On The 2024 Roster

As fun as this has been watching Stewart hit bombs, he’s never been on a roll like this in his career. He has some pop but never did anything like this in Baltimore. For Stewart, there is still a lot he has to show the Mets to justify being in the plans for next year. That will require having a strong September. If he can continue this momentum, he can be a good left-handed power bat off the bench next season and be a designated hitter from the left side of the plate. 

Main Photo Credits: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Mazza, Site Editor

Evan Mazza, Site Editor

Evan was born on Long Island, New York growing up as a lifelong New York Mets fan (his middle name being Shea) and Baltimore Ravens fan. Evan's had a love for sports talk, sports writing and sports in general since his childhood. Evan covered for his High School sports teams for the school newspaper, as well as being an intern for WPIX Channel 11, and at The Associated Press. Evan graduated from Suffolk County Community College and Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Previously, he has written for SB Nation's Baltimore Beatdown covering the Baltimore Ravens. As well as covering the New York Mets, New York Yankees, New York Jets, and New York Giants for BlueHQMedia. Recently, Evan's been a writer for Worldwide Sports Radio Network (formerly Sportsonthego1) as well as a producer and talent for on-air shows. Evan is now writing for LastWordOnSports.com covering the New York Mets, Baltimore Ravens, and all things MLB and NFL.

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