Former Braves first-round draft pick connects for first NPB hit - as a pitcher

The Atlanta Braves used their first-round draft pick on a right-handed pitcher out of high school in 2018. 

At the time, he was committed to Mississippi State to play college baseball. Carter Stewart, who now plays for the Fukuoka SoftBanks Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball, was that pitcher. 

Stewart turned down the Braves' signing bonus offer because it was below the value of the draft slot. He was dealing with a wrist injury. He took his talents to Japan after one year at Eastern Florida State College. 

Since making his NPB debut in 2021, Stewart has posted a 3.24 ERA with 224 strikeouts in 242 innings. On Thursday, he recorded his first hit in Japan as a batter. 

First career NPB hit for pitcher Carter Stewart Jr. 👏 pic.twitter.com/IYuBOxLgHf

Stewart's lazy single to right center field is a reminder of what Major League Baseball used to look like when pitchers were hitting. 

MORE: A rookie named Santa had a 1-of-a-kind MLB debut

Let's just say it wasn't pretty and leave it at that. 

This is a fun moment for the 26-year-old and the Hawks. You have to wonder if the Braves are keeping tabs on Stewart's career in Japan. 

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