Written by Dave Norman
Two former Turks pitchers (2017), will return to the flock for 2019.
For lefty Grant Stewart and righthander Mason Studstill, change has been a constant in their baseball careers. Each will be at their third school in as many years.
After beginning his career at Florida State, Stewart had a very solid season at Northwest Florida in 2018, logging a 9-3 season. Working primarily as a starter, he threw 86 innings, fanning 96 while recording a 2.71 earned run average.
Studstill was drafted out of high school in the 22nd Round by the Cleveland Indians. He began his career as a Miami Hurricane. In 2018, Mason pitched at Eastern Florida, playing with 2018 Turks Elian Merejo and Paul Castillo.
Studstill pitched as a starter and reliever, posting some quality outings but an equal amount of struggles. He was 1-4 with a 5.81 ERA. Studstill was a stud for the Turks in 2017. He was 4-0 with a 2.50 ERA and was named an All-Star.
Stewart struggled as a Turk in 2017 but the hard-throwing, versatile lefty has progressed and impressed since then. He will pitching in the spring for Troy University. Long-time Troy Manager and former Harrisonburg Turk Mark Smartt is very familiar with Stewart. “Grant first hit our radar three years ago out of high school. His consistent ability to throw strikes with more than one pitch and atta,cks each hitter, which is a great formula for winning at any level. His arm strength and competitiveness is what separates him from most pitchers his age. Our success with players from Northwest Florida and his coach, Doug Martin, will help in his transition here at Troy. Grant’s drive to be a Trojan is something that will be valuable in his future here at Troy.”
Stewart is in the mold of so many undersized (5’ 10”, 185 lb) lefthanders to find success as Turks. Jaime Moyer, Brad Mills, Jason Martinez, to name a few.
Studstill, the 6’ 2” 205 pound prospect will also be headed to a new team at Florida Gulf Coast University. This, and a return to the Turks are great opportunities for Mason to establish himself again against high-level completion.
The Turks are always excited when our boys of Summer return to the flock. We look forward to seeing these familiar faces and can’t wait to follow their spring seasons.