Draftee Stewart to make pro debut on Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Kohl Stewart, the Twins' first-round pick in this year's First-Year Player Draft, is set to make his professional debut on Thursday in the Gulf Coast League against Rays Minor Leaguers in Fort Myers, Fla. He's expected to throw between 40 and 50 pitches.

Stewart, 18, the No. 4 overall selection, signed with the Twins on June 19 with a $4.544 million bonus.

"I'm not too concerned about anything other than getting his feet wet," general manager Terry Ryan said. "This is just his first outing. [Director of player personnel] Mike Radcliff will be down there to see him, which is good, so we can get an evaluation. The only thing I hope is that he throws the ball over the plate."

Stewart, a two-sport star at St. Pius X High School in Houston, was the top-ranked high school pitching prospect in the country, according to MLB.com.