If Pirates infielder Kevin Newman’s Spring Training production holds up in the regular season, his 2021 bounce back year will be a lock.
It’s only a small sample size but in 20 at bats so far this spring, Newman is hitting .700…yeah that’s the correct number.
In four at bats on Monday against Baltimore, Newman once again had a multi-hit game, going 3 for 4 with a double.
He also has a .760 OBP and 1.610 OPS.
In his first full season with the Bucs in 2019, Newman hit an impressive .308 with 152 hits, 20 doubles, 4 triples and 12 homeruns.
While 2020 wasn’t a horrible year for Newman, his average dropped to .244 and his production fell to just 10 RBI.
Newman says he moved his hands lower and closer to his body in the offseason.
“That’s something that’d I’ve done previously though out the minor leagues,” said Newman.
Newman says the hits are giving him confidence heading into the season.
“Anytime you get some knocks to start the spring off its kind of a good feeling to build some confidence when you’re getting ready to go into the season,” said Newman.
But while he’s riding a hot streak right now, Newman knows how the law of averages works.
“I’m sure later in the season I’ll line out five times in a row and not see a base hit for it and kinda just how it is, it evens out hopefully, but you defiantly take them when you can get them.
Newman is currently in competition to be the starting short stop Erik Gonzalez and Cole Tucker.