Since getting drafted by the New York Mets in the sixth round in 2013 out of Division II Brevard College in North Carolina, center fielder Champ Stuart's primary asset has been his speed. He has produced 47 steals and been caught only seven times in 136 professional games.

“Anytime I get on base, my intention is to take the next bag,” he said. “So I’m always looking to get the edge, steal the next base, regardless of if I’m on second or I’m on first.”

Stuart is hitting .286 with one homer, four RBIs, an organization-leading seven steals and a .415 on-base percentage through 54 plate appearances with Class A St. Lucie this season.

"Anytime I get on base, my intention is to take the next bag," Champ Stuart said. Courtesy of St. Lucie Mets

“Champ is an 80 runner on the scouting scale, so that’s the tool that jumps out at everyone,” VP Paul DePodesta said. “However, he is also a patient hitter who understands the strike zone. And, unlike most 80 runners, he has the strength to drive the ball.”

Stuart’s path to college baseball and then the professional ranks is untraditional.

Stuart, 22, was born in the Bahamas. His actual first name is Jervis, although his parents simply have called him Champ since birth, and so has everyone else.

“My dad just told my mom that I’m his champ,” Stuart said.

Only six players born in the Bahamas have ever reached the majors: Andre Rodgers (1957-67), Tony Curry (1960-66), Wenty Ford (1973), Ed Armbrister (1973-77), Wil Culmer (1983) and Antoan Richardson (2011-14).

Stuart said he admired MLB players such as Barry Bonds, Jim Edmonds and Derek Jeter while growing up.

“We didn’t play as much as Americans do, because we don’t play year-round like them,” Stuart said. “But we have Little League. That’s where I started playing.”

Stuart enrolled in a North Carolina all-boys boarding school in the 10th grade. Although he hoped one day for a pro baseball career, Stuart graduated from high school and moved on to Brevard initially figuring he would use the college baseball opportunity to pursue an exercise science degree.

As he thrived, pro baseball became more realistic.

“Sophomore year I had a really good year and started getting looks,” he said. “It felt closer and closer to reality. And then my junior year it just happened.”

Stuart does need to make more contact. He has struck out 172 times in 477 pro at-bats.

Asked what he is working on this season, Stuart said: “Speed is my main asset, so I try to keep myself healthy, work on my base stealing -- and some jumps and reads in the outfield. Of course, you can’t do enough hitting. They have me working on a lot of stuff like hitting the ball on the ground, so I can use my speed.”

ORGANIZATION LEADERS

Average: T.J. Rivera, Binghamton, .441; Maikis De La Cruz, St. Lucie, .405; Dilson Herrera, Vegas, .392; Michael Conforto, St. Lucie, .354; Alex Castellanos, Vegas, .340; Travis Taijeron, Vegas, .333; Matt Reynolds, Vegas, .327; Josh Rodriguez, Binghamton, .324; John Mora, Savannah, .308; Jayce Boyd, Binghamton, .300.

Homers: Alex Castellanos, Vegas, 4; Michael Conforto, St. Lucie, 4; Travis Taijeron, Vegas, 4.

RBIs: Matt Reynolds, Vegas, 15; Michael Conforto, St. Lucie, 14; Alex Castellanos, Vegas, 13.

Steals: Champ Stuart, St. Lucie, 7; Kyle Johnson, Vegas, 4; Matt Reynolds, Vegas, 4.

ERA: Luis Cessa, Binghamton, 0.00; Miller Diaz, St. Lucie, 0.00; Seth Lugo, Binghamton, 1.54; Rob Whalen, St. Lucie, 1.64; Gabriel Ynoa, Binghamton, 2.25; Rainy Lara, Binghamton, 2.31; Robert Gsellman, St. Lucie, 2.40; Casey Meisner, Savannah, 2.45; Steven Matz, Vegas, 2.93; Marcos Molina, St. Lucie, 3.27.

Wins: Darin Gorski, Vegas, 2; Robert Gsellman, St. Lucie, 2; Jake Kuebler, Binghamton, 2; Rainy Lara, Binghamton, 2.

Saves: Jon Velasquez, Binghamton, 4; Akeel Morris, St. Lucie, 2; Cody Satterwhite, Vegas, 2.

Strikeouts: Steven Matz, Vegas, 14; Matt Bowman, Vegas, 14; Seth Lugo, Binghamton, 13.

SHORT HOPS