Sean Newcomb has found himself in a leadership role in his second full season with the Braves. As a pitcher for the Braves, he’s happy with the role and tries to lead through his actions.
On Tuesday in the Braves’ final exhibition game at SunTrust Park, Newcomb pitched the first four innings of a 7-5 victory against the Cincinnati Reds and allowed two runs on three hits, including a home run. The big news was that he issued no walks. He walked 15 batters in his 17 other spring innings. He finished the spring with a 5.14 ERA.
“I felt good about him,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I thought he was very aggressive, and tempo was good. That was a good ending for him.”
Newcomb finished his day also feeling good about his throwing. He said a positive for him was his ability to throw more strikes, and felt he stayed aggressive throughout his time on the mound. He finished with five strikeouts.
“I would say there was probably two or three pitches where I kind of didn’t get everything behind it,” Newcomb said. “But everything else felt solid.”
The timing is good. As the regular season begins Thursday with a three-game road series against the Phillies, Newcomb said the increase in intensity and establishing a rhythm has helped him. While he will not be in the rotation against the Phillies, he will be in the rotation for the series against the Cubs when the Braves return home April 1.
“I feel strong, fastball is in a good spot, and like I said today the off-speed was in a good spot, too,” he said.
His place in the pitching rotation helps set an example for some of the younger pitchers on the team. Today, he demonstrated that example while on the mound.
Newcomb said on some of teams in the National League, he would be one of the younger guys on the team. But the for Braves, he finds himself more in the mix. The Braves’ pitching rotation currently lines up with younger pitchers such as Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson, who will each start a game in the series against the Phillies.
He tries to lead by example for the younger pitchers, as Newcomb has a quieter demeanor. Through his actions both on the mound, and also throughout the day in preparation and practice, he tries to do what is right and set a good example for the younger pitchers.
“They definitely kind of come to me for a lot of questions just because it’s a little more comfortable for them,” Newcomb said. “Definitely glad to be in that spot.”
