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Portrait of Kevin Newman

Kevin Newman SS  

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 25)
PA AVG HR R RBI SB DRC+ WARP
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Birth Date8-4-1993
Height6' 0"
Weight185 lbs
Age30 years, 8 months, 21 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
2015
2016
2017
-0.32018
0.12019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA H 2B 3B HR BB SO HBP SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ DRAA BRR FRAA BWARP
2018 PIT 24 31 97 19 2 0 0 4 23 1 0 1 .209 .247 .231 62 -4.2 -0.6 -2.1 -0.3
2019 PIT 25 130 531 152 20 6 12 28 62 7 16 8 .308 .353 .446 107 7.2 0.9 -0.8 2.8
Career1616281712261232858169.293.337.4131003.10.3-2.92.5

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G PA oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ DRC+ DRC+ SD FRAA BRR DRAA BWARP
2015 WVA A SAL 23 110 .262 .323 .379 .333 96 3.3 3.0 1.4 131 0 0.3 -0.4 1.4 0.6
2015 WEV A- NYP 38 173 .246 .313 .338 .252 103 0.5 4.8 2.2 94 0 -6.3 -1.0 -4.9 -0.5
2016 BRD A+ FSL 41 189 .248 .310 .350 .375 96 19.7 5.4 2 193 0 1.4 1.4 13.0 2.4
2016 ALT AA EAS 61 268 .266 .328 .406 .308 108 2.4 7.2 3.2 111 0 0.3 2.3 -1.1 1.3
2017 ALT AA EAS 82 375 .258 .322 .399 .282 99 -1.6 10.1 4.7 92 0 0.6 1.4 -2.2 1.6
2017 IND AAA INT 40 178 .267 .331 .405 .324 95 -1.5 5.3 2.4 85 0 0.4 -1.3 -2.6 0.4
2018 PIT MLB NL 31 97 .246 .318 .395 .275 95 -7.2 2.7 1 62 10 -2.1 -0.6 -4.2 -0.3
2018 IND AAA INT 109 477 .261 .324 .403 .333 94 11.1 14.0 4.5 126 0 2.3 3.2 12.4 3.7
2019 PIT MLB NL 130 531 .250 .319 .430 .333 99 10.6 16.0 5.7 107 5 -0.8 0.9 7.2 2.8
2019 IND AAA INT 8 35 .272 .330 .434 .304 101 -2.1 1.2 0.2 85 0 -0.7 0.7 -0.6 0.1

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.
Year Team lvl LG PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO SF SH
2015 WVA A SAL 110 98 14 30 4 1 0 36 8 9 8 6 1 .306 .376 .367 .061 0 1
2015 WEV A- NYP 173 159 25 36 10 1 2 54 9 10 22 7 1 .226 .281 .340 .113 0 2
2016 ALT AA EAS 268 233 41 67 11 2 2 88 28 26 24 6 3 .288 .361 .378 .090 4 2
2016 BRD A+ FSL 189 164 24 60 10 1 3 81 24 17 12 4 1 .366 .428 .494 .128 3 2
2017 IND AAA INT 178 166 23 47 11 2 0 62 11 7 22 7 1 .283 .314 .373 .090 1 3
2017 ALT AA EAS 375 343 42 89 18 2 4 123 30 22 40 4 2 .259 .310 .359 .099 2 3
2018 PIT MLB NL 97 91 7 19 2 0 0 21 6 4 23 0 1 .209 .247 .231 .022 1 0
2018 IND AAA INT 477 437 74 132 30 2 4 178 35 31 50 28 11 .302 .350 .407 .105 1 5
2019 IND AAA INT 35 30 5 7 2 0 0 9 1 5 7 0 1 .233 .343 .300 .067 0 0
2019 PIT MLB NL 531 493 61 152 20 6 12 220 64 28 62 16 8 .308 .353 .446 .138 1 2

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr% CSAA
2018 329 0.4833 0.4620 0.7895 0.6415 0.2941 0.8529 0.6600 0.2105 0.0000
2019 1851 0.4776 0.5051 0.8631 0.6867 0.3392 0.9193 0.7591 0.1369 0.0000
Career21800.47850.49860.85200.67990.33240.90930.74410.14800.0000

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2023 CIN $2,662,500
2022 PIT $1,950,000
2021 PIT $598,000
2020 PIT $589,000
2019 PIT $557,500
2018 PIT $
YearsDescriptionSalary
5 yrPrevious$6,357,000
5 yrTotal$6,357,000

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
5 y 46 dJonathan Weiss1 year (2024)

Details
  • 1 year (2024). Signed by Arizona as a free agent 1/4/24 (minor-league contract). Released by Arizona 3/27/24 (Newman exercised right to opt out of contract). Re-signed by Arizona as a free agent 3/31/24 (minor-league contract). Contract selected by Arizona 4/7/24.
  • 1 year/$2,662,500 (2023). Re-signed by Cincinnati 1/13/23 (avoided arbitration). DFA by Cincinnati 9/25/23. Released 9/27/23.
  • 1 year/$1.95M (2022). Re-signed by Pittsburgh 3/22/22 (avoided arbitration). Acquired by Cincinnati in trade from Pittsburgh 11/18/22.
  • 1 year/$598,000 (2021). Re-signed by Pittsburgh 3/21.
  • 1 year/$589,000 (2020). Re-signed by Pittsburgh 3/20.
  • 1 year/$557,500 (2019). Re-signed by Pittsburgh 3/19.
  • 1 year (2018). Contract selected by Pittsburgh 8/16/18.
  • Drafted by Pittsburgh 2015 (1-19) (Arizona). $2.175M signing bonus ($2,273,800 slot).

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ VORP FRAA WARP
90o 46 11 2 0 1 3 7 1 0 .262 .311 .381 91 0.0 SS 0, 0.0
80o 31 7 1 0 1 2 5 1 0 .250 .300 .393 85 0.0 SS 0, 0.0
70o 20 4 1 0 0 1 3 0 0 .222 .263 .278 81 0.0 SS 0, 0.0
60o 11 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 .200 .273 .200 77 0.0 SS 0, 0.0
50o 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 74 0.0 SS 0, 0.0
Weighted Mean300000000.000.000.000740.0SS 0,0.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Kevin Newman

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2020-03-23 12:00:00 (link to chat)Cole Newman sent back down. Does that surprise you? Do you expect him to come back up and help PIT later this year?
(Craig from Chicago)		Tucker? Teams are sending guys down now because of the uncertainty around retroactive service time once the season actually starts, so this is mostly perfunctory. I still generally believe in him long term more than Kevin Newman, but Tucker hasn't really forced the issue in the middle infield there yet. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2020-03-23 12:00:00 (link to chat)Which of these 2B options are you buying in an OBP league: Lourdes Gurriel, Kolten Wong, Brandon Lowe, Rougned Odor (15% k rate in ST), Nick Madrigal, Jonathan Schoop, Kevin Newman or Nick Kingery? Alternatively, an opportunistic owner has offered me Ketal Marte for Josh Hader. The speed of Madrigal is attractive, but he sounds a bit Dee Gordon-ish, and wonder how you think his situation will play out.
(Karl from hands)		We are apparently the official publication of Nick Madrigal, so...(I'd be fine with Brandon Lowe too). If this is otherwise a standard roto I'd take Marte for Hader though, assuming you have other relief options. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2020-03-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hey Jesse, I didn’t get a chance to chat because I had to get going but you did a fine job at first pitch Florida. I caught your session w/Ian about getting an edge in dynasty. A lot of brainpower in that room! Had a question about Kevin Newman. Does he win the job? Over 500 at bats?
(slappy123 from Charlotte, NC)		Thanks! First Pitch Florida was a fantastic event and a blast. It is a great opportunity to finally meet so many industry minds in person. The next First Pitch event is October 8-11 in Mesa, Arizona!

Ian Kahn from Rotowire/The Athletic was a fantastic co-presenter and a brilliant dynasty mind. Be sure to seek out his work!

Kevin Newman most certainly has the Pirates' shortstop job locked down at the moment. He is coming off a 2.8 WARP season with 107 DRC+. Absent struggles or injury, I would expect Newman to eclipse 500 ABs. Cole Tucker is still around and could push Newman to 2B or an everyday utility role, which is the only risk I foresee to his playing time. The Pirates are a mess and I see no reason why Newman would not get run as an everyday player. Just do not expect much in the way of power from him. (Jesse Roche)
2019-10-11 12:00:00 (link to chat)Kevin Newman had a nice seemingly underrated year. Cole Tucker seems like he’s the future at short. Does Newman move to 2b or does he have a lock on ss at this point. And do you see more upside or is this as good as it get with him?
(Fred whitfield from Cleveland)		I didn't think he'd be quite this good, and the extra pop he got from the ball might not stick. I'd let Tucker win the job if he can, as he's a better defender there as well. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2019-10-04 14:15:00 (link to chat)Kevin Newman or Trent Grisham -so do you like better?
(Bob prince from Pittsburgh)		I was never deeply into either as prospects. Newman has the higher floor, Grisham the higher ceiling. So it depends on what you want to weight (which is the subject of an upcoming Three-Quarters Delivery podcast by the way / flashes the Mick Foley cheap plug Thumbs Up) (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-11-03 13:00:00 (link to chat)Does Kevin Newman still have a future with us? Will he just be Ryan Theriot?
(Peter from Pittsburgh)		The comps I got on him this year are in the Theriotan genus, yeah. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-08-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)As the latest reports make as clear as ever, it sounds like the Pirates have given up hope that Jung Ho Kang will be able to return to the U.S. and play out his contract in Pittsburgh. If I'm reading the information correctly, that contract calls for the Pirates to pay him $3 million this year and has a team option for $5.5 million ($250k buyout) next year. First, do you know whether the Pirates have paid him any of the $3 million for this year? Second, if you're Neal Huntington and you think Kang is a lost cause, can you avoid paying even the buyout for next year, or is your move to exercise the option, on the theory that you'd want Kang if his immigration circumstances change, but that you won't have to pay him the $5.5 million if he cannot return? Third, if Kang returns to the U.S. in 2019 as a free agent, what kind of offers, if any, do you think he will receive from teams? Fourth, I will gin up a wine question to atone for a three-part question about a guy who hasn't played all year and may never play in the majors again.
(Alec Denton from Atlanta)		Alec, I will try to give you an answer as long as your question. Even longer! And thanks for asking me this one in advance--I needed to a little legwork. For those of you just tuning in, you can submit questions for BP chats in advance by just clicking on the chat at any time once it appears on the homepage. Getting your questions in early gives guys like me more time to ponder them...

Kang is on the restricted list. Players on the restricted list don't draw a salary. So no, they aren't paying him this year. I'm not sure whether his presence on the restricted list voids the buyout next year, but $250K is chump change even to Pittsburgh.

Next year and 2019 are both interesting issues. As I assume everyone reading this knows, Kang is not playing this year because he couldn't get a visa due to his legal problems. Basically, South Korea didn't want him to let him go, and the U.S. didn't want to let him in. Heck of a guy! But here's the thing: He's a good player. In 2015, he was second on the team in TAv and fourth on the team in WARP despite only 457 PAs. Last year, in fewer PAs (370) he was first in TAv and second in WARP. If he were with the Bucs, he'd play shortstop (Mercer's arb eligible next year and will a FA after the season) ane third base (Freese is a FA after next season too, unless the team picks up his $6M option). And next year Mercer will turn 32, Freese will be 35, and Kang will be 31. So there's plenty of reason for the team to want him back, if he can get a visa.

But I'll be they'll pass. I'd guess that a future with Harrison (and eventually Ke'Bryan Hayes) at third, and Kevin Newman or Cole Tucker at short is more likely to one with Kang.

So if he were to return as a 2019 FA, I think he'd get a lowball contract--a million or two?--provided he has at least some KBO or MiLB experience to back it up. As for a landing spot, who's the Oakland Raiders of MLB? The Rays? The A's? (Rob Mains)
2017-06-13 12:00:00 (link to chat)What is Kevin Newman going to be?
(Hector from Texas)		How much do you like Jordy Mercer? (Craig Goldstein)
2017-05-04 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thoughts on Kevin Newman? Does he take over for Jordy Mercer in the next year or two?
(Justin from The Fieldhouse)		Newman is like the Dom Smith of shortstop prospects for me. He's fine. I get it. It's a solid major leaguer. It just doesn't excite me. But I imagine that is the timetable yes. And speaking of... (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-03-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who do you prefer Adames or Barreto? Shed Long or Kevin Newman?
(Chris from Baltimore)		Adames and Long. The former by a narrow margin, the latter by a larger one. I love the Reds' system. (Matthew Trueblood)
2017-01-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Kevin Newman a more valuable fantasy asset in a dynasty OBP/SLG league? If so how far up the [unpublished] rankings would you put him?
(Lougle from Queens)		That's more Bret and Ben's gig, but I would say he's actually probably better in a AVG league. He's not gonna hit for much power, and the walks tend to dwindle once major league arms figure that out. Hit tool is the carrying tool here. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2016-11-22 20:00:00 (link to chat)What are your thoughts on Kevin Newman? Seems to have a very good hit tool.
(Jeb from IC)		I like him. I'm not sure whether there's star upside without more supporting tools. But he's got one of the highest floors of any of the top prospects who aren't really semi-established MLBers (like Gsellman, Benintendi, Reyes, Swanson, etc.) eligible because of our weird quirky rules. (Jarrett Seidler)
2016-11-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)What are your thoughts on Kevin Newman and Austin Meadows?
(Hector from Arizona)		Newman's hit tool is legit, I just don't know if he does enough else to be more than a solid everyday guy. Meadows is a stud. I keep coming back to Christian Yelich as a comp for him. (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2016-08-11 14:00:00 (link to chat)What can you tell me about Meadows and Newman? How good can they be in real life and in fantasy?
(Jim from Chicago)		Austin Meadows is a potential stud, offering double-digit homers and 20-plus stolen bases with a good batting average. He's probably better in real life, too, given his defensive value. Kevin Newman, on the other hand, isn't really my jam. He's a good hitter, but doesn't offer much in terms of power or speed. Those kinda guys -- in the Martin Prado mold -- are much more valuable in real life than in fantasy. Newman is a guy I'd absolutely be trying to sell high on in dynasty leagues. (J.P. Breen)
2016-08-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)What are your thoughts on Austin Meadows and Kevin Newman? What are their upsides?
(Tim from NC)		The camp is a little bit split with Newman. Some scouts see a no doubt shortstop with a quality bat and some pop. Others aren't sold on his defense and think the bat is a touch light. I think he can play shortstop long term but I do think the bat is only contact oriented. He just won't hit for any power and that limits his ceiling for me. Nice player but I think the hype is a little out of control. With Meadows you're looking at a corner outfielder with a solid average to a tick above arm and some pop. He controls the zone well for a younger player but still needs to work on his plate discipline. Overall a very solid player that the Pirates are happy to have. (James Fisher)
2016-06-20 16:00:00 (link to chat)What are your thoughts on Kevin Newman? Seems to have an elite hit tool.
(Jeb from Iowa City)		I would agree with you! My eyewitness on Kevin Newman just went live! (Steve Givarz)
2016-06-27 20:00:00 (link to chat)Kevin Newman seems to be able to just hit, and hit, and hit. Will he shoot up prospect rankings soon?
(Tim from OK)		Kevin Newman has really opened my eyes (and some evaluators) this year. The profile is one that doesn't always succeed at the ML level but as long as the bat continues to play he will shoot up a lot of lists. (James Fisher)
2016-06-16 21:00:00 (link to chat)How deep a league before you get interested in Kevin Newman? Is it a 65 hit tool?
(Rob from Alaska)		Probably a 14 team league. Just don't see him doing much over than contributing in average. (Bret Sayre)
2016-06-21 20:00:00 (link to chat)Can you tell me a few prospects, outside the Top 101, with the highest upside for fantasy? Thanks for the chat!
(cracker73 from Florida)		Bobby Bradley, Cornelius Randolph, Kevin Newman (credit to Keith Law for nailing that on his preseason list), Frankie Montas. ANd I'm going out on a limb here, but I still like Carson Fulmer despite his atrocious walk rate. (Scooter Hotz)
2016-06-21 20:00:00 (link to chat)What do you think of Ke'Bryan Hayes and Kevin Newman?
(Justin from Iowa)		I like Kevin Newman a lot. He could be a 4-category producer at a premium position. As for Ke'Bryan Hayes, the fact that he's not getting dominated at low-A at age 19 speaks well for him. Beyond that, he's a long way from the majors and there's a lot that could go right, wrong, or sideways over the next few years. (Scooter Hotz)
2016-06-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Pirates have three prospects that are absolutely raking in the minors in Kevin Newman, Josh Bell, and Austin Meadows. What are the upsides for all three? Thanks.
(Jim from Denver)		I think all three could be quality everyday players, with Meadows possessing the highest ceiling as a potential All-Star. (Daniel Rathman)
2016-05-26 19:00:00 (link to chat)Is Kevin Newman for real? Any difference between him and Trea Turner? Or do you prefer one?
(Jerry from GA)		He's probably for real. I'd like to see him against tougher competition before turning that into a "definitely for real." I see Newman as having a little more power and a little less speed if everything breaks right. I prefer Turner, but only because he's closer and I've seen more of him. (Mike Gianella)
2016-05-31 19:00:00 (link to chat)How long is Kevin Newman out for and what type of future do you see him having now?
(James from PA)		Newman went down with an orbital bone fracture and while I don't have a timeline on his recovery I would point to other guys like Giancarlo Stanton who had similar injuries. As for his future, he's shown an advanced approach at the plate with some pop. The glove is the question mark here with somewhat limited range at SS and hands that get a touch hard at times. I'm a believer in the arm and the work ethic so I would give him a chance to be a regular but most likely a backup. (James Fisher)
2016-05-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Tell us about Kevin Newman....
(Jeb from IC)		The short answer: He's dominating FSL pitching. Maybe there were concerns last year, but not at this point. (Jessica Quiroli)


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PITCHf/x Hitter Profile

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