Former Chattanooga Lookouts starting pitcher Kohl Stewart made his big-league debut Sunday afternoon in Minnesota's 4-2 loss at Detroit.
Kohl StewartThe Chattanooga Lookouts wanted to be in two places at once Sunday afternoon.
While their primary focus was the series finale against the Jackson Generals at AT&T Field, Lookouts players also kept tabs on Kohl Stewart's big-league starting debut with the Minnesota Twins in Detroit. Stewart made 14 starts with the Lookouts earlier this season, compiling a 3-4 record and a 4.76 ERA.
"It's awesome," Lookouts first baseman Brent Rooker said after watching Stewart pitch a scoreless first inning on a clubhouse television. "I became pretty close with Kohl during the time we were both here at the start of the year, and it's been fun to see him go up to (Triple-A) Rochester (New York) and do well there and continue to grow and develop.
"Now he gets his chance to make his debut, and it's special to watch."
Stewart is a former Texas A&M four-star quarterback signee who was the fourth overall pick of the 2013 MLB first-year player draft and received a $4.5 million signing bonus from the Twins. The 23-year-old right-hander is the second member of Chattanooga's 2018 opening-day roster to make his MLB debut. Starting pitcher Zack Littell has appeared in two Twins games, one in early June and another in early July, but has spent most of this year with Rochester.
Lookouts players and coaches were able to watch Stewart's first inning before taking the field for their Southern League contest, which they lost 6-1. Several Lookouts remarked about Stewart's "baby-faced" appearance, given that he performed for Chattanooga with varying amounts of facial hair.
"It stinks that he's playing the same time we are," Lookouts manager Tommy Watkins said. "I'm sure it will be something we go back and watch later. It's a cool thing to see anybody you coach get to play in the big leagues."
Stewart worked four scoreless innings against the Tigers before yielding three runs and being replaced in the fifth. He ultimately took the loss in Minnesota's 4-2 defeat.
The Lookouts were roughed up for four runs in the first inning, with Rudy Flores accounting for three with a home run to right field. Chattanooga dropped to 20-28 in the second half and to 56-61 overall with 20 games remaining in the season.
The Lookouts are off today before playing at Mississippi on Tuesday, and there is no intention of fading down the stretch with 15 of their last 20 away from home.
"Everybody in this clubhouse has the desire to try and develop as individuals and players and also as a team," Rooker said. "You have 140 games to grow, and you have to take advantage of all of them."
Said Watkins: "Whether it's an at-bat, a play or a game, you never know when it's going to be your last. You have to approach every day like it's your last."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.