8 trade targets from the Atlanta Braves for the Colorado Rockies

Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb could be of help in the rotation or bullpen for the Colorado Rockies

Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb has had experience both as a starter and reliever and, perhaps, he could be a fit for the Colorado Rockies as a long reliever/spot-starter.

Newcomb, 28, has not lived up to his prospect hype (was MLB.com’s #21 overall prospect entering 2016) and that’s partially due to injury but partially due to his control issues. He appeared in 32 games (all in relief) in 2021 and he had a 4.73 ERA. He did have some bad luck as his FIP (3.60), hit rate (7.8 H/9), and strikeout rate (12.0 K/9) indicate but he walked 7.5 batters per nine innings.

He didn’t have the walk problem in Triple-A, though, as he only walked 2.2 batters per nine innings in 15 games (all in relief).

He only made four appearances (all starts) in 2020 and he had an 11.20 ERA but in 2019, he had a good season. He made 55 appearances in the majors (four starts) and he had a 3.16 ERA (145 ERA+). He had a FIP of 4.24, a WHIP of 1.317, a walk rate of 3.8 per nine innings, and a strikeout rate of 8.6 per nine innings.

In 2018, he made 31 appearances (30 starts) and he had a 3.90 ERA (105 ERA+) with a FIP of 4.14 and a WHIP of 1.329. A walk rate of 4.4 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 8.8 K/9 was a bit off, though.

Newcomb is eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason so if the Rockies got him, they would have (at least under the current CBA) a few years of control before he becomes a free agent. But he is out of minor league options.