Kevin Newman Bio
Kevin Bradley Newman is an American professional baseball infielder in the Kansas City Royals organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels. Newman played college baseball for the Arizona Wildcats of the University of Arizona, before the Pirates selected him in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Newman was born on August 4, 1993. He graduated from Poway High School in Poway, California, where he made the varsity baseball team in his sophomore year. During his junior year, Newman achieved a .404 batting average, attracting attention from several universities, including the University of Arizona, University of Oregon, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He ultimately committed to play for the Arizona Wildcats baseball team on a college baseball scholarship.
Path to Baseball
At the University of Arizona, Newman succeeded Alex Mejia as the starting shortstop during his freshman year. He had a .336 batting average, which was the 11th best in the Pac-12 Conference, and earned a spot on the Freshman All-America team by Louisville Slugger. Throughout his college career, he consistently performed well, earning All-Pac-12 Conference honors multiple times and winning the Cape Cod Baseball League’s batting average title in both 2013 and 2014.
Kevin Newman Career
Early Career (2015-2017)
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Kevin Newman in the first round, with the 19th overall selection, of the 2015 MLB draft. He signed with the Pirates and made his professional debut with the West Virginia Black Bears of the Low-A New York–Penn League. In 2016, he played for the Bradenton Marauders and the Altoona Curve, batting .320 with five home runs and 52 RBIs. By 2018, he was ranked as Pittsburgh’s seventh-best prospect and made his MLB debut on August 16, 2018.
Breakthrough (2019-2021)
In 2019, Kevin Newman hit his first walk-off single against the Cincinnati Reds, helping the Pirates secure a 6–5 victory. He finished the season with a batting average of .308, leading the National League in infield hits and at-bats per strikeout. However, his performance fluctuated in subsequent seasons, with a batting average of .224 in 2020 and .226 in 2021. Despite these challenges, he set a spring training batting average record in 2021, batting .606 with no strikeouts in 39 plate appearances.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kevin Newman has made significant contributions to his teams, including a strong start to his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has been recognized for his ability to perform under pressure, particularly with his walk-off hits and impressive spring training statistics.
Kevin Newman Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Kevin Newman has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his college years and early professional career, although specific award nominations are not detailed.
Kevin Newman Awards Won
Kevin Newman has achieved notable milestones, including being named to the Freshman All-America team and the All-Pac-12 Conference team during his college career. He also won the Cape Cod Baseball League MVP award in 2014.
Kevin Newman Family
Kevin Newman is married to Shayne, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter, in January 2021. The family resides in Chandler, Arizona.
Personal Life
Kevin Newman maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing on his family and career in baseball. He has demonstrated resilience through various challenges in his professional journey while balancing his responsibilities as a husband and father.
