The Potential Tools: 70 FB, 60 CB, 50 CH, 50 Command

Strengths: Big, physical, durable frame; ¾ slot with low effort, repeatable delivery; FB is near elite; works in the middle 90s with life and downhill plane; will miss bats in zone; CB is a major league out pitch; 1-to-7 shape with depth in low 80s; can add/subtract from fading CH to vary vertical depth; great feel for pitches, can work all pitches in and out of zone; bulldog mentality on the mound.

Weaknesses: A touch more raw than typical college arm; will show more control than command; can lose velocity later in starts, CB can get less effective; opinions on CH projection vary.

Role Ceiling: 60; #2 SP.

Risk: Moderate; upper-minors arm but more raw than typical college SP.

Summary: Coming to Atlanta in the trade that sent Andrelton Simmons to the Angels, Newcomb has shown a solid three-pitch mix including a big time fastball. Newcomb has a big, broad and durable pitchers build and a high baseball IQ when it comes to sequencing and pitchability. The way he can add and subtract from all of his pitches and work in and out of the strike zone should bode well as he progresses through the upper minors and into the major leagues. When Newcomb is commanding his mid-90s fastball and plus curveball, there are not many pitchers in the minor leagues with a higher upside.