Atlanta Braves: With Hamels injury, is Newcomb a lock for the starting rotation?
Atlanta Braves fans should be excited about what Sean Newco mb could bring to the table. After a bullpen rebirth, he’s getting another chance at the starting rotation in 2020.
The Atlanta Braves acquired Sean Newcomb in November 2015 in the trade that sent Andrelton Simmons to the Angels. We also acquired Chris Ellis in the deal, but at last check he was toiling in minors with Kansas City.
Since the trade, Simmons has developed his offense to go with his Platinum-Glove-level defense, and thus far, the Atlanta Braves have lost the trade and has been regarded as one of the worst moves of the rebuild.
However, ‘Newk’ may have something to say about that this year.
There was a lot to love about Newk coming into the Atlanta Braves organization. He’s your stereotypical big lefty: 6-5, 255 pounds. He throws hard and has great stuff. However, as with many pitchers, it’s his command that’s been an issue.
Flashes of brilliance
It’s easy to forget that Newcomb won 12 games as a member of the starting rotation in 2018. It’s also surprisingly easy to forget that he had an outside chance at an All-Star selection for a while that year.
After his June 22 start during that season, his record stood at 8-2. His ERA was 2.59. He had ten quality starts. However, in his next three starts he was roughed up for 12 runs and 23 baserunners (11 walks) That effectively ended his All-Star bid.
After the break, Newcomb was very up and down. On July 29, he almost brought the house down at Suntrust Park. Against the Dodgers, Newcomb struck out eight and walked just one batter, taking a no-hitter 8.2 innings deep before a single by Chris Taylor broke up the bid.
Many fans criticized manager Brian Snitker for leaving him in the game too long, as he ended up throwing 134 pitches.
Newcomb continued a roller coaster effort, and after a tough start to 2019, he was sent to the bullpen.
Hey, that’s a pretty good fit
Once Newcomb was demoted and recalled (check this) on May 4, he hit the bullpen. Early results were great. Honestly, he was brilliant. Often critical of Brian Snitker’s personnel decisions, fans should have been delighted when it was announced he was in the bullpen to stay.
Over his first 20 appearances, he gave up just two earned runs. Near the end of that stretch, he got hit in the head with a 102 mph batted ball. However, he never really missed a beat, only allowed earned runs once in the month of July out of the ‘pen. He finished with a 2.61 ERA over that timeframe.
Newcomb continued at around the same clip for the remainder of the year. His ERA hit a high water mark of 3.54 after getting roughed up by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he ended the season with a good September push.
2019 Newcomb stats: 6-3 record, 3.16 ERA, 68.1 IP, 24 ER, 61 H, 65 SO, 29 BB, 1.31 WHIP.
If you take out his three April starts (one good, one bad, one ugly) he allowed just 18 earned runs on the season and his ERA finishes just a tad under three- 2.96. Newcomb even picked up a save in a pinch.
If you ask me, I think that Sean’s demeanor just seems like a relief guy. He’s focused and in my opinion, has improved greatly with not appearing to be emotional on the mound. That mental toughness that comes along with the maturation of a pitcher. There’s little doubt that Newcomb grew as a pitcher and a big leaguer during the 2019 season.
Overall, Newk was a welcome addition to the Atlanta Braves bullpen, and being a lefty, he was a weapon that Brian Snitker could deploy in almost any game situation, whether it was long relief or a situation with a bit more pressure involved.
Another shot at the rotation?
This offseason, the Atlanta Braves made it clear that Sean Newcomb, still an arm of great potential would have a chance to win the fifth starter role. He’ll be in competition with veteran Felix Hernandez and a few young arms – Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson and Touki Toussaint among them.
Newcomb and other competitors now have a leg up. It appears another spot in the rotation will be open, at least, to start the season as Cole Hamels reported shoulder soreness from offseason workouts. Brian Snitker confirmed that he would miss the start of the season, but optimism is abound that it won’t be anything more serious.
So, that means that two spots in the rotation are open for now. Hamels, unless seriously injured will result in someone being optioned to the minor leagues when he returns, or a corresponding disabled list move- but we don’t want that outcome.
What about the bullpen?
However, unlike the others named in the group, Newcomb has the insurance policy of being one of two left-handed arms that could/will serve in the bullpen. The other is Will Smith, the Atlanta Braves’ presumptive closer.
So, as an Atlanta Braves fans, I wouldn’t mind seeing a King Felix reemergence and someone like Kyle Wright getting in the rotation to start the season. That’s because Newcomb in the bullpen provides another left-hander who’s ultra talented.
Newcomb is perhaps one of the Atlanta Braves’ most interesting arms. Either way, he’ll need to find a role. Some fans have said that the big lefty is entering a make or break season. I don’t necessarily think that’s the case, as his versatility and stretches of success in both roles make him a candidate to get as many opportunities as the Atlanta Braves can afford.
Sean Newcomb 2020 prediction: I don’t think we’ll see a a lot of back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen. Ultimately, the bullpen is where pitchers go when they can’t cut it as a starter – not always, but this would be the case for Newk.
Next. Gettin' Jiggy with Will Smith. dark
I’ll say he’s staying in the rotation. I’ll put him at 13 wins, a 3.30 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 160 IP. If he can limit his walks, his numbers will be even better.