Former Paso Robles High school pitcher Jordan Stewart signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers on May 17.

Stewart, who graduated from PRHS in 2001, has been at Avila University in Kansas City, Mo., since 2004. Before that, Stewart attended both Cuesta College and Santa Barbara City College.

Stewart also spent time as relief pitcher for the Santa Maria Indians, a California Collegiate Baseball League team, during their 2005 and 2006 season. In 2006, Stewart was 2-4 with a 4.05 ERA and five saves in 18 appearances for the Indians.

The fact that he’s been signed by a major league franchise still feels a little surreal for Stewart.

“It hasn’t hit me yet, it feels like a dream,” he said.

Paso Robles head varsity coach Derek Stroud remembered Stewart as being a little on the small side when he came out to play his freshmen year. Stewart spent two years on junior varsity before moving up to varsity for his junior and senior year.

Stroud said because of his smaller size, they felt it would be better to teach Stewart to pitch submarine style, stepping low and throwing about waist level.

“We thought it might be his best chance to be successful,” Stroud said.

That style of pitching has paid off. According to Santa Maria head coach Scott Nickason, Stewart’s pitching style is what makes him stand out.

“He splits the plate and he has great velocity,” he said. “He gets a lot of movement.”

Nickason said Stewart really came into his own the last two years.

“He’s gotten stronger over time, especially during his last two years of college,” he said. “He’s been [Avila’s] go to guy. When the game’s on the line, he’s who they go to.”

Stewart entered Avila University as a sophomore, and this year as a senior finished out the season with 29 saves during the last three years, and an overall ERA of 2.34 for his collegiate career, according to Avila University baseball coach Ryan Howard.

Howard said Stewart pitched some tough games during his time at Avila, and had to deal with Midwest weather conditions.

“He dealt with some rough elements,” Howard said. “He pitched a game in Oklahoma City with a wind chill factor of minus 15 degrees.”

Howard wasn’t surprised that Stewart was recruited to pitch at the next level.

“He’s got one of the better sliders we’ve ever seen, and he was our closer for most of this year,” Howard said.

Stewart said the Cleveland Indians, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Florida Marlins, and the Texas Rangers contacted him following his final college game. He said all the attention took him by surprise.

“It was different, and I wasn’t really used to it,” Stewart said.

Ultimately he said he choose the Rangers because they were “consistently there” through the process, and seemed the most interested. Howard feels Stewart made a smart decision in choosing the Rangers.

“He made a wise, wise decision,” Howard said. “They move pitchers up a lot faster.”

Stewart will head to a training camp in Arizona next week to sit out the draft, and from there he’ll head to Tacoma, Washington to a Single A camp or Bakersfield for a High A Ball camp. The latter camp puts him a step closer to going professional.

Howard said Stewart is the second pitcher from Avila University to get the call from the major leagues.

“I’m proud of the kid and I hope he goes on to the big time,” he said.



Photo courtesy of Avila University

Jordan Stewart, a 2001 Paso Robles High School Graduate, pitches for Avila University. Stewart signed a professional contract with the Texas Rangers.



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