Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NYM | SS | 13 | 40 |
Grades Update: Feb 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 55 | 55 |
Feb 2021 Report
Evaluator: Jake Kerns
Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2015 IFA
RuleV: Eligible
Physical Description: Tall and wiry. Long levers. High waisted. Ideal frame with some additional room to fill out. Has strong hands. Athletic.
Hit: Crouched and open stance from the left side. Keeps his weight on his back foot. Hands and back elbow stay high. Some pre-pitch bat movement. Moderate leg kick as he loads and closes. Stance is more closed from the right side. His hands and elbow stay lower and the bat rests on his shoulder prior to loading. Minimal leg kick. Tends to be an aggressive, free swinger from both sides. Takes some big cuts. Has above-average bat speed and can drive the ball when he connects, but the swing path is inconsistent; it's mostly linear, but he falls victim to diving toward the ball and chopping it into the ground. He's consistently produced more ground ball outs than fly ball outs since signing. Shows a good feel for the zone and takes some walks, but he struggles with pitch recognition. His swing can also get long, and he often swings through offspeed stuff down and velocity away. Has struck out 33% of plate appearances since signing. Capable bunter. Needs to put more balls in the air. Grade: 40
Power: Plus raw power that he inconsistently gets to during games, primarily because of his over-aggressiveness and erratic bat path. Creates some natural loft off the bat, but does not impact the ball often enough. There's remaining physical projection, and he could have plus-plus raw power in time, but his approach will hinder his ultimate output. He needs to become more selective. Grade: 50
Field: Moves well for his size, but his footwork can get clunky at times. He has average range and can make the routine plays, but he will probably never standout with the glove. Shows good awareness on the dirt, and he has experience at 2B, SS, and 3B. He's passable at SS, but probably fits best at 3B. He may also grow into a corner OF spot. Grade: 45
Arm: Shows a strong arm with good carry across the infield. Throws on target in looks. Plays in the infield and fits in a corner OF spot. Grade: 55
Run: Timed 4.14 down the line front the left side and 11.68 home to third. Present above-average runner, but will slow with added bulk on his frame. Not a true threat to steal. Grade: 55
Overall: After being hyped as a potential breakout in 2019, full season ball proved to be a significant challenge. Newton's biggest issue is his aggressiveness and inability to make good contact. His power will be his calling card, but there are serious concerns as to whether he can unlock it. The upside as a power hitter is tantalizing, but it comes with significant risk.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Utility
Risk: High
