| Chris Stewart | |
|---|---|
| San Francisco Giants – No. 37 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: February 19, 1982 | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 6, 2006 for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Career statistics (through September 21, 2011) |
|
| Batting average | .204 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 13 |
| Teams | |
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Christopher David "Chris" Stewart (born on February 19, 1982 in Fontana, California) is a professional baseball player who currently plays in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants. Stewart, a catcher, has played in the majors for the Chicago White Sox, the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres. Before turning professional, Stewart attended Riverside Community College.
During the 12th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft, Stewart was selected by the Chicago White Sox.[1] He signed with the White Sox that year on August 18.[2] Stewart began his professional career in 2002 with the Chicago White Sox rookie-level affiliate, the Bristol White Sox of the Appalachian League. With Bristol, Stewart batted .278 with 25 runs, 44 hits, nine doubles, one home run and 12 runs batted in (RBIs). On defense that season, Stewart committed eight errors in 377 total chances. During the 2003 season, Stewart was assigned to the Winston-Salem Warthogs of the Class-A Advanced Carolina League.
In 2004, Stewart split his time, first playing Triple-A ball with the Charlotte Knights of the International League and then Double-A baseball with the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League.
Stewart stayed with the Barons for the whole 2005 minor league baseball season. In 2006, Stewart was promoted back up to Triple-A with the Charlotte Knights and put on the White Sox's 40-man roster and made his Major League debut on September 6, 2006.
Stewart appeared in 4 games for the White Sox before making his first start on September 27, 2006. In his 8 major league at bats, Stewart had no hits and two strikeouts. Stewart was traded to the Rangers on January 12, 2007, for minor league pitcher John Lujan.
After showing solid defensive skills in spring training, Stewart beat out veteran Miguel Ojeda for the Rangers backup catcher job, and started the season on the major league roster. On June 9, 2007, the Rangers optioned Stewart to Triple-A after acquiring Adam Melhuse in a trade. Stewart went to 2008 spring training with the Rangers before being released on March 27, 2008. [1]
On April 3, 2008, Stewart signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
He was called up following the injury to Yankee catcher Jorge Posada on April 28, 2008. He was sent down after only appearing in one game on April 30, after Chad Moeller cleared waivers and re-joined the team. Stewart was designated for assignment on June 30 to make room on the roster for Brett Gardner and later outrighted to the minors.
Stewart became a free agent after the season and re-signed with the Chicago White Sox.[3] On March 22, 2009, Stewart returned to the Yankees by being traded for a player to be named later.
On December 22, 2009, Stewart signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. Stewart was called up to join the Padres on September 1, 2010. He was designated for assignment by the Padres on October 6,[4] he was outrighted to the minors but he refused the assignment and became a free agent.
On May 26, 2011, Stewart was called up by the San Francisco Giants after Buster Posey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured bone in his lower left leg. On August 9, 2011, he hit his first big-league home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates' James McDonald.