Chris Newell

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #85 prospect in 2019 draft
  An athletic outfielder with a lean, 6-foot-3, 187-pound frame, Newell has an enticing toolset and significantly raised his draft stock last summer. At a Perfect Game event in Atlanta, Newell was one of the showcase's best hitters and also displayed strong defensive potential in center field. Offensively, he has above-average raw power from the left side, with twitchy bat speed and a smooth, uphill, fly ball-oriented swing. He's also an above-average runner and shown above-average arm strength in the past, but that has been inconsistent this year as Newell has been recovering from Tommy John surgery. While he's not a pitching prospect, he had been in the low 90s on the mound previously, which speaks to his arm strength at it's best. The questions with Newell are in regards to his hit tool, and the fact that he doesn't have much of a track record outside of the Atlanta event. He has a power-over-hit offensive approach, and scouts put 45 grades on his hit tool with plenty of swing-and-miss in his game. They also wonder whether he will be more of a corner outfielder rather than a true center fielder as he continues to physically mature. There's a lot to like with Newell, but he is expected to be a tough sign out of his Virginia commitment.

• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  An athletic outfielder with a lean, 6-foot-3, 187-pound frame, Newell has an enticing toolset and significantly raised his draft stock last summer. At a Perfect Game event in Atlanta, Newell was one of the showcase's best hitters and also displayed strong defensive potential in center field. Offensively, he has above-average raw power from the left side, with twitchy bat speed and a smooth, uphill, fly ball-oriented swing. He's also an above-average runner and shown above-average arm strength in the past, but that has been inconsistent this year as Newell has been recovering from Tommy John surgery. While he's not a pitching prospect, he had been in the low 90s on the mound previously, which speaks to his arm strength at it's best. The questions with Newell are in regards to his hit tool, and the fact that he doesn't have much of a track record outside of the Atlanta event. He has a power-over-hit offensive approach, and scouts put 45 grades on his hit tool with plenty of swing-and-miss in his game. They also wonder whether he will be more of a corner outfielder rather than a true center fielder as he continues to physically mature. There's a lot to like with Newell, but he is expected to be a tough sign out of his Virginia commitment.