Wikipedia

Sean Newcomb

Sean William Newcomb (born June 12, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Oakland Athletics. He played college baseball at the University of Hartford. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Newcomb in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft, and traded him to the Braves in 2015, for whom he made his MLB debut in 2017.

Sean Newcomb
Newcomb with the Atlanta Braves in 2018
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1993-06-12) June 12, 1993 (age 31)
Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 10, 2017, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through June 21, 2024)
Win–loss record28–25
Earned run average4.51
Strikeouts435
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Amateur career

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Newcomb attended Middleborough High School in Middleborough, Massachusetts.[1] As a senior, he had a 0.46 earned run average (ERA) with 110 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched.[2]

After high school, Newcomb enrolled at the University of Hartford. As a freshman for the Hartford Hawks baseball team in 2012, Newcomb started nine games before suffering a season-ending injury. His first college win was a no-hitter against Yale.[1][3] He finished the year with a 2–4 win–loss record with a 4.17 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 45+1⁄3 innings. As a sophomore in 2013, he started 12 of 13 games, going 5–4 with a 3.75 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 72 innings. In 2012 and 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4][5][6] Newcomb started his junior season without allowing a run through his first 39+2⁄3 innings.[7][8] He finished the year 8–2 with a 1.25 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 93+1⁄3 innings. He was named the 2014 America East Pitcher of the Year, becoming the first Hawk to win a major conference award.

Professional career

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Los Angeles Angels

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Newcomb was considered a top prospect for the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[9] He was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[10] He signed with the Angels, receiving a $2,518,000 signing bonus.[11] Newcomb was assigned to the Single–A Burlington Bees and later, in 2015, promoted to the Double–A Arkansas Travelers,[12][13] where he ended his first full season in professional baseball; he had a combined 2.38 ERA across 3 levels. Finishing 2nd in minor league baseball with 168 strikeouts.[14]

Atlanta Braves

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On November 12, 2015, the Angels traded Newcomb, Erick Aybar, Chris Ellis, and cash considerations to the Atlanta Braves for Andrelton Simmons and José Briceño.[15] The Braves invited Newcomb to spring training and he spent the 2016 season with the Double–A Mississippi Braves.[16][17] While pitching in the Southern League, he posted 4.6 walks per nine innings with a 3.86 ERA.[18]

Newcomb was invited to spring training for the second time at the start of the 2017 season.[19] He started the season with the Gwinnett Braves of the Triple–A International League.[20] Newcomb pitched to a 2.97 ERA in 54+2⁄3 innings, alongside 74 strikeouts and 33 walks prior to his first promotion to the major leagues.[21][22] He made his major league debut on June 10, 2017, for the Braves at SunTrust Park against the New York Mets. He pitched 6+1⁄3 innings, allowing four hits and one unearned run with seven strikeouts.[23] For the season, he was 4–9 with a 4.32 ERA.[24] On July 29, 2018, Newcomb took a no-hitter through 8+2⁄3 innings until Chris Taylor singled. The Braves defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4–1.[25] After this outing, social media posts Newcomb made to Twitter at the age of eighteen came to light. The comments included homophobic slurs and racial epithets.[26][27] During the 2018 season, Newcomb tallied an ERA of 3.91, but struggled over his final fourteen starts, recording a 5.50 ERA in that span.[28]

Newcomb started the Braves' first game at SunTrust Park in 2019. He faced the Chicago Cubs, pitching four innings of an 8–0 win.[29] Newcomb completed the seventh inning in his next game against the Miami Marlins,[30] but struggled against the New York Mets,[31] leading to his demotion to the Gwinnett Stripers on April 14.[32][33] Newcomb returned to the major league club on May 4,[34] and made several relief appearances.[35][36] He returned to the starting rotation to face the Philadelphia Philles on June 15, 2019. Newcomb was struck in the head by a batted ball from J. T. Realmuto, and left the game.[37][38] He was subsequently placed on the seven-day injured list.[39][40] Newcomb was reactivated on June 25,[41] and faced the Chicago Cubs as a reliever that night.[42][43]

Newcomb endured an abysmal 2020 season, registering an 11.20 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched across 4 games, striking out 10.[44]

In 2021 with the Braves he was 2–0 with one save and a 4.73 ERA, as in 32 relief appearances he pitched 32.1 innings, walked 27 batters, and struck out 43 batters.[45] The Braves finished with an 88–73 record, clinching the NL East, and eventually won the 2021 World Series, giving the Braves their first title since 1995.[46]

The Braves designated Newcomb for assignment on April 19, 2022.[47]

Chicago Cubs

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On April 20, 2022, Newcomb was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Jesse Chavez and cash considerations.[48] After spending time on the injured list with a left ankle sprain, he was activated on June 13. Newcomb allowed five runs in an inning of work in an 18–4 loss against the New York Yankees and was designated for assignment after the game.[49] On June 20, Newcomb was outrighted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.

On August 4, Newcomb was selected back to the active roster to start the second game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.[50] On September 17, Newcomb was once again designated for assignment by the Cubs. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Iowa on September 19.[51] He elected free agency on October 6.

San Francisco Giants

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On February 6, 2023, Newcomb signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.[52] In 20 appearances split between the Single–A San Jose Giants and Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, he registered a cumulative 3.15 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 34+1⁄3 innings pitched.[53]

Oakland Athletics

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On August 22, 2023, Newcomb was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Trenton Brooks.[54] The next day, Oakland selected Newcomb's contract, adding him to the major league roster.[55] After posting a 3.00 ERA across 7 appearances for Oakland, Newcomb was placed on the injured list with a sprained left knee on September 17.[56] On September 20, it was announced that Newcomb had undergone left knee lateral meniscus surgery, ending his season;[57] he was transferred to the 60-day injured list the same day.[58]

On November 2, 2023, Newcomb signed a one–year, $1 million contract extension with the Athletics.[59] On December 20, Newcomb underwent an arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, with the procedure projected to have him ready for game action by spring training.[60] He was placed on the 60-day injured list to begin the 2024 season after getting behind schedule in his recovery process.[61] Newcomb was activated from the injured list on June 4, 2024.[62] On June 21, Newcomb became the first pitcher in Athletics' history to earn a win without officially facing a batter. With the A's trailing the Minnesota Twins 5–4 in the eighth inning, Newcomb entered in relief of Lucas Erceg with a runner on first and two outs. Newcomb picked off Austin Martin at first to end the inning; Oakland eventually took the lead later in the inning and won the game 6–5.[63] In 7 games, he struggled to a 6.30 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 10 innings of work. Newcomb was designated for assignment by Oakland on July 2.[64] He was released by the organization on July 5.[65]

Personal

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Newcomb was a fan of the Boston Red Sox growing up.[66]

References

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  1. ^ a b Johnson, John R. (March 16, 2014). "Middleborough grad drawing MLB scouts". Boston Globe. Boston.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2016. Alt URL
  2. ^ Shepard, Cody (July 31, 2018). "Atlanta pitcher from Middleboro first threw the heat, then faced it". The Enterprise. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  3. ^ Johnson, John R. (April 5, 2012). "Middleborough's Newcomb makes an impressive start on the hill at Hartford". Boston.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  4. ^ "Top three draft picks from CCBL start pro careers". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. ^ "#33 Sean Newcomb (2012)". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  6. ^ "#33 Sean Newcomb (2013)". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Dudek, Greg (April 10, 2014). "Sean Newcomb off to hot start at U Hartford". South Coast Today. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  8. ^ "MLB scouts flock to see Hartford pitcher Sean Newcomb who leads Division I with 0.00 ERA". New York Daily News. Associated Press. April 4, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Law, Keith (March 21, 2014). "Future 50: Aiken No. 1". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  10. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (June 5, 2014). "Angels use first pick on college lefty Newcomb". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  11. ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (July 18, 2014). "Angels sign top pick Sean Newcomb for $2.518 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  12. ^ "Angels' First Rounder Newcomb Makes Debut Tuesday". MILB.com. August 11, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  13. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (July 31, 2015). "Top prospect Newcomb promoted to Double-A". MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  14. ^ Bowman, Mark (February 21, 2016). "Newcomb embraces opportunity with Braves". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  15. ^ "Braves deal Andrelton Simmons to Angels for Erick Aybar in SS swap". ESPN.com. November 12, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  16. ^ Kraft, Alex (March 12, 2016). "Braves send Newcomb to Minors camp". MILB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  17. ^ Black, Miranda (April 4, 2016). "M-Braves Announce Travel Roster". MILB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  18. ^ Bowman, Mark (February 20, 2017). "Newcomb bringing confidence, command to camp". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  19. ^ Bowman, Mark (January 25, 2017). "Albies, Newcomb among Braves' NRIs to camp". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  20. ^ Culpepper, JuliaKate E. (May 1, 2017). "Gwinnett Braves' Newcomb ties personal strike out record in loss to Pawtucket". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  21. ^ O'Brien, David (June 7, 2017). "Newcomb to make highly anticipated MLB debut with start Saturday". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  22. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 7, 2017). "Braves prospect Newcomb will debut in DH". MLB.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  23. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 10, 2017). "Newcomb dynamic in Major League debut". MLB.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  24. ^ O'Brien, David (May 12, 2018). "Newcomb starting to look like pitcher Braves thought he could be". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  25. ^ McElhaney, Tori (July 29, 2018). "Newcomb falls 1 out shy of no-no in Braves' win". MLB.com. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  26. ^ Gardner, Steve (July 29, 2018). "Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb tweeted homophobic slurs in 2011, 2012". USA Today. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  27. ^ "Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb apologizes for offensive tweets". ESPN.com. July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  28. ^ Bowman, Mark (February 19, 2019). "Newcomb's value depends highly on '19 growth". MLB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  29. ^ Russo, Kelsey (April 2, 2019). "Sean Newcomb works through jams in Braves' home opener". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  30. ^ Odum, Charles (April 7, 2019). "Swanson, catcher's interference call help Braves top Marlins". Associated Press. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  31. ^ Bowman, Mark (April 14, 2019). "Touki Time just hours after joining Braves". MLB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  32. ^ Burns, Gabriel (April 14, 2019). "Braves option Sean Newcomb to Triple-A". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  33. ^ "Braves send down Newcomb; Vizcaino to IL". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 14, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  34. ^ "Braves recall Newcomb, send down Toussaint". Gwinnett Daily Post. May 4, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  35. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 16, 2019). "Braves eye 9 straight in Newcomb's spot start". Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  36. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 11, 2019). "Newcomb slated to start Saturday vs. Phillies". MLB.com. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  37. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 16, 2019). "Newcomb passes tests after taking liner off head". MLB.com. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  38. ^ "Braves' Newcomb exits after line drive off head". ESPN.com. June 16, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  39. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 19, 2019). "Sean Newcomb placed on concussion IL". MLB.com. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  40. ^ "Braves place Newcomb on 7-day concussion list". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  41. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 25, 2019). "Riley rooting for ASG finalists: 'I'm super happy'". MLB.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  42. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 25, 2019). "Acuna, Albies turn Wrigley into All-Star stump". MLB.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  43. ^ "Albies, Acuña hit homers to lead Braves past Cubs 3–2". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  44. ^ "Atlanta Braves 2020 Player Reviews: Sean Newcomb". November 12, 2020.
  45. ^ "Sean Newcomb Stats".
  46. ^ "Atlanta Braves win 2021 World Series". MLB. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  47. ^ Toscano, Justin (April 19, 2022). "Braves designate Sean Newcomb for assignment, option Huascar Ynoa". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  48. ^ Toscano, Justin (April 20, 2022). "Braves trade Sean Newcomb, acquire ex-Brave Jesse Chavez". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  49. ^ "Cubs' Sean Newcomb: Dropped from 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  50. ^ "Cubs' Sean Newcomb: Contract selected for spot start". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  51. ^ "Cubs' Sean Newcomb: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. September 19, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  52. ^ "Giants' Sean Newcomb: Reaches NRI deal with San Francisco". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  53. ^ "Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Acquired by Athletics". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  54. ^ "SF Giants trade veteran pitcher to A's for outfielder crushing Triple–A". si.com. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  55. ^ "Former Chicago Cubs Reliever Promoted to Oakland Athletics". si.com. August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  56. ^ "Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Shelved with sprained knee". cbssports.com. September 17, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  57. ^ "Sean Newcomb undergoes knee surgery". mlbtraderumors.com. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  58. ^ "Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Shifted to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  59. ^ "Athletics' Sean Newcomb: Reaches agreement with Oakland". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  60. ^ "A's Sean Newcomb has surgery on right knee, eyes spring return". ESPN. December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  61. ^ "Athletics Select Kyle McCann". mlbtraderumors.com. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  62. ^ "A's Select Vinny Nittoli". mlbtraderumors.com. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  63. ^ "Athletics' Sean Newcomb picks up win without facing batter". ESPN. June 22, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  64. ^ "Athletics Designate Aledmys Díaz, Sean Newcomb For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  65. ^ "Transactions". MLB.com.
  66. ^ Wilborn, Nubyjas (July 1, 2017). "Braves' Sean Newcomb adjusting well to life in majors". Marietta Daily Journal. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
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