Braves' 1st-round pick never signed, left for Japan — and may have path back to MLB

Q: Why didn't Carter Stewart sign with the Braves after being drafted?

Carter Stewart chose not to sign with the Braves in 2018 and instead pursued a professional career in Japan.

Q: What are Carter Stewart's current pitching statistics in Japan?

Carter Stewart is currently pitching for the SoftBank Hawks, sitting at 94 mph on his fastball and has a high-70s curveball with over 3,100 RPM.

Q: Could Carter Stewart return to MLB after playing in Japan?

Yes, Carter Stewart is making a case to return to MLB, showcasing improved pitching skills and effectiveness in Japan.

Braves' 1st-round pick never signed, left for Japan — and may have path back to MLB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves drafted Carter Stewart in 2018 with the No. 8 overall pick in the MLB Draft.

He didn't sign, though, and instead he has traveled an unprecedented path. Stewart went to play professionally in Japan.

Nearly a decade later, Stewart is starting to make the case that it might be time for him to return to MLB.

"The SoftBank starter is sitting 94 mph on his fastball (touching 97) and locating it effectively at the top of the zone to set up his high-70s curveball, which is averaging over 3,100 RPM and has been his calling card since high school," writes Yuri Karasawa of Just Baseball. "What stands out most, however, is his increased comfort with a mid-80s splitter as a true putaway weapon. He’s boosted the usage on it from 22% versus righties and 25% versus lefties in 2024 to 35% against both, generating a 59% whiff rate overall."

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Stewart would be a free agent if he eventually entered into an offseason with the intention of coming to MLB. He never actually signed a contract with the Braves, so they don't hold any kind of rights toward him.

It's not clear yet whether such a move might happen, but it's becoming more realistic as Stewart continues to develop as a pitcher.

"Indeed, despite towering over most of his NPB peers at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Stewart’s gradual progression toward the Japanese mold is increasingly evident, with more polished mechanics and a splitter-heavy arsenal," Karasawa writes.

For Stewart to be a logical choice for MLB, he'll have to prove this season he can be more durable than he has been. Injuries have slowed him down in NPB.

"Now, the 26-year-old’s focus will be on staying healthy and eclipsing the 120-inning mark for the first time in his career," Karasawa writes. "Whether he remains in Japan long-term or eventually returns stateside, every step of Stewart’s journey reflects that of an international baseball trailblazer."

Looking back, Stewart didn't really start a trend. There haven't been other youngsters going to play in Japan.

But he's still out there, potentially with a path back to Major League Baseball.