Kyler Newby

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #25 prospect in 2009
  Newby was one of the final selections of the 2004 draft, signing with the Diamondbacks the next spring as a draft-and-follow. They sent him straight to the bullpen and he had great success in his first two seasons in the organization, earning a trip to Hawaii Winter Baseball after the 2006 season. He pitched well there, too, but he also strained a ligament in his elbow, essentially making 2007 a lost season for him. He was fully healthy in 2008 and put himself back on the organization radar, getting added to the 40-man roster at the end of the season. Newby has three quality pitches, allowing him to succeed without dominant velocity. His fastball peaks in the low-90s, but it's heavy and he commands it well, and his slider and splitter can also generate swings and misses. Newby also benefits from a deceptive delivery, and all his pitches come from the same arm slot, so batters have a hard time identifying them. He's never going to be more than a middle reliever, but his success against lefthanders (.165 opponent average, vs. .232 against righties) last season suggests he can be used for multiple-inning stretches. Despite his previous injury, his build also means he should be durable. If he pitches well in Double-A, Newby could be good bullpen insurance for the Diamondbacks as the year goes on.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #27 prospect in 2007
  Newby came close to being the Mr. Irrelevant of the 2004 draft, going to Arizona with the 15th pick of the 50th round. He was the ace of the Mesa (Ariz.) Community College staff but got little notice from scouts because of his below-average fastball velocity, and the Diamondbacks signed him as a draft-and-follow with no fanfare and moved him to the bullpen. Newby still doesn't throw hard, but he has had nothing but success during his pro career, including a 2.95 ERA and .227 opponent average in Hawaii Winter Baseball after the 2006 season. His fastball sits at 88-90 mph, but because of his deceptive delivery hitters don't pick it up. He throws a big curveball that can be a plus pitch, and is working on a changeup and splitter that he added to his repertoire at the Diamondbacks' suggestion. The splitter has been an effective weapon when Newby commands it. He has the frame that would suggest more velocity is possible, and he has followed a rigorous conditioning program from the organization to get stronger, but at this point the Diamondbacks are thinking velocity is overrated. Hitters are telling Newby that his pitches are plenty effective with their empty swings. Newby still has doubters, so he'll likely prove them wrong again in high Class A this season.