Carter Stewart makes debut with Titans baseball team

Carter Stewart was on the mound for the first time as a member of the Eastern Florida State College baseball team on Saturday.

The Eau Gallie High graduate was the No. 8 pick in the Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves but did not sign with the Braves after negotiations were complicated by a wrist injury.

That left the right-handed pitcher wondering what his next step would be.

"I didn't really know what I was going to do, didn't know where I would end up so right now I am about as happy as I can be with what happened and looking forward to moving forward and keep being excited," Stewart said after pitching an inning in the intrasquad game at Bruce Bochy Field. "I am super excited to pitch here and play with these guys, hopefully we will have a good season and individually, same thing. I want to go out and give it the best I can. It is a good feeling to be out here with these guys."

Stewart struck out two of the three hitters he faced on Saturday in a 1-2-3 first inning and was happy with the way he threw the ball in front of about two dozen scouts.

"I felt good, had a pretty consistent fastball and the curveball has been good," Stewart said. "Coming back and pitching again, I have been consistent which is what I am looking for right now. It was a good first outing."

Stewart officially signed with the Titans last week after the announcement that Stewart would be eligible to return to this year's amateur draft after not coming to an agreement with the Braves.

"It's a gift, that is for sure," Eastern Florida State College baseball coach Jason Arnold said. "He is as good as they come in the nation in any level and to land a guy like that here, the obvious boost is what he is going to do on the mound and the amount of wins and innings he will give us, but what it will also do is take pressure off the other guys in the rotation. It just really adds an amount of depth at the top of the rotation, every time he toes the rubber, we feel good we will win the ball game. You don't find those guys just out recruiting.

Outfielder Bryan Pena hit a two-run home run in the intrasquad game. The Titans will open the season Jan. 25 at South Florida State College with the home opener scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. against Seminole State College. Admission to games at Bruce Bochy Field is free.