Chris Newell

A top-100 draft prospect out of high school, scouts had high expectations for Newell thanks to a loud tool set that features power, arm strength and speed. He seemed to be living up to his hype after he hit .407/.546/.729 with four home runs and eight stolen bases during an 18-game 2020 season, but it’s been downhill since then. Newell struggled to make contact in 2021 with a swing that was far too steep and led to a 33.3% strikeout rate. He continued to struggle in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .250/.288/.500 with 23 strikeouts to just three walks. His 2022 junior season with Virginia was more of the same, though it came with more power, as Newell hit .258/.385/.468 with 12 home runs and 16 stolen bases, but a 28% strikeout rate. Newell has hammered 93-plus mph velocity this spring, but he has a hole at the top of the zone where he can be exposed and will need to make adjustments with his bat path to close that. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Newell has a great frame and is a good defender in center field, which will take some pressure off his bat, but he doesn’t have the same top-three round buzz he generated as a high school prospect and after his first season with the Cavaliers.