MANCHESTER -- THROWS 88-91. Good life on two-seam fastball. Average curveball and changeup. Curveball can be long at times. Has a feel for changeup but doesn’t use it much. Fringy fifth-starter stuff.

Can’t rule out plus-command in the future — and he’ll need it.

That’s the actual report on Zach Stewart from 2008 as written by an American League scout, who covers the Eastern League and tracks every player. “Fringy fifth-starter stuff” wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement but the write-up was on the money.

Stewart, acquired in the Kevin Youkilis trade, has never possessed an overpowering fastball yet his array of pitches and command have led to 31 appearances in the majors. Give him a few weeks and he’ll be pitching for Boston.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington, needing pitching depth, sent Stewart to Triple-A Pawtucket where the 25-year-old can work on becoming a starter. Stewart worked primarily as a reliever with the White Sox, posting a 6.00 ERA in 18 appearances this season.

Stewart’s two-seam fastball or sinker has flattened out, according to reports, and scouts have noticed a dip in velocity. Nonetheless, the kid has “pitchability,” meaning he can outsmart hitters, paint the corners and find a way to create outs.

There were times at Double-A New Hampshire when Stewart revved up his fastball to 93-95-mph. Maybe Red Sox minor-league pitching coordinator Ralph Truel of Wolfeboro, who has seen Stewart pitch several times in the minors, can tap into that hidden velocity.

Fisher Cats pitching coach Tom Signore, who always projected Stewart as a No. 4-type starter in the majors, offered the Red Sox a tip before Monday night’s game against Harrisburg.

“If I were coaching him, I’d get him back to that high leg lift we had. It always allowed his arm to get out front and generate better arm speed,” Signore said. “When the Red Sox bring somebody in, he’s pretty heavily scrutinized. I’m sure they have a role for him in mind. Maybe they think they can make a change here or there and turn him into the guy they think can be productive.”

A year ago, Stewart was named to the Eastern League All-Star Game and played here at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium along with Will Middlebrooks. This week, Middlebrooks was named American League Player of the Week while Stewart joined the fourth organization of his career. The ex-Fisher Cats starter was originally drafted by the Reds and later traded to Toronto and Chicago.

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HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS: If you didn’t watch a game, you missed the most entertaining seven-game stretch of the season.

A recap: Tuesday: The eighth-largest crowd (8,226) in franchise history watched Chad Jenkins throw a gem and beat first-place Reading, 6-1.

Wednesday: The Fisher Cats beat the Phillies No. 1 prospect, Trevor May, and won their fourth straight.

Thursday: Manchester police officer Dan Doherty, shot four times in March, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Law Enforcement Night. It was an emotional evening and a night to shake the hand of dozens of uniformed officers. Rising star John Stilson made his Fisher Cats debut and was roughed up by Harrisburg, lasting only two innings. Many better days ahead.

Friday: Mike McDade crushed his team-leading 12th homer.

Saturday: Fisher Cats manager Sal Fasano, ejected after arguing with the home plate umpire, threw a trash barrel from the top of the dugout steps.

Sunday: New Hampshire reliever Sam Dyson threw a pitch clocked at 98 mph, fastest pitch of the season. Blue Jays outfielder Ben Francisco went 2-for-4 with a double to complete his rehab assignment with New Hampshire.

Monday: Harrisburg slugger Tim Pahuta, who played for the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, belted a three-run homer as the Senators piled up eight runs in the second inning against Fernando Hernandez.

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ON THE ROAD: The Fisher Cats head to Portland today, embarking on an eight-game road trip that also takes them to Reading, Pa. Stilson (1-1, 6.43 ERA) will make his third start for New Hampshire, opposed by Portland righty Chris Martin (3-4, 4.41 ERA). All four games at Portland begin at 7 p.m.

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers pro baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His email address is kgray@unionleader.com.