JORDAN NEWTON
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CATCHER
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Born: August 29, 1985 Height: 5′ 10″ Weight: 195 Bats: Right Throws: Right Drafted: 6th Round, 172nd Overall, 2006 How Acquired: Minor League FA College: Western Kentucky Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
The Pirates signed Newton out of independent ball to play at Bradenton after both Tony Sanchez and Eric Fryer sustained serious injuries from being hit in the face with pitches. Newton had played a little outfield as well as catching, even appearing in center a few times.
2006-09: Hit well with Tigers, with better power than most minor league catchers, although plate discipline wasn’t good. He threw out 27% of opposing base stealers in 2008-09. Given draft round and scarcity of decent-hitting catchers, it’s surprising Detroit cut him loose so soon. 2010: Managed to avoid the injury plague afflicting the Marauders and hit very well. Caught only a little, mostly serving as a DH and also playing a few games in left. Threw out only two of 25 base stealers in ten games behind plate. Newton won’t be eligible for minor league free agency for a couple years, so he’s likely to return as a catcher/utility player in class A, or possibly even AA if he continues to hit. |
STATS
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Baseball Reference–Minors Fangraphs MiLB.com |
CONTRACT INFORMATION
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2011: Minor League Contract |
PLAYER INFORMATION
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Signing Bonus: $155,000 MiLB Debut: 2006 MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2012 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 (USED: N/A) MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
TRANSACTIONS
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June 4, 2003: Drafted by the New York Mets in the 31st round, 919th overall pick. June 7, 2006: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 6th round, 172nd overall pick. June 19, 2006: Signed by the Detroit Tigers to a minor league contract with a $155,000 bonus. June 3, 2010: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent. |