Atlanta Braves Five Reasons They Can Compete in 2018
By Kit Anderson
2. Sean Newcomb Has to be Productive
Sean Newcomb is one of the most talented arms in the Braves system top to bottom. The one problem or component that was missing for Newcomb over his time in the Braves system was consistent control.
His tendency to walk hitters has been a downfall for Newcomb. The first game of the season was a showcase of just that with Newcomb walking four hitters and giving up five earned runs in an ugly start.
The next week? He struck out nine without walking anyone earning his first win of the season. For the Atlanta Braves to compete this season Newcomb is going to have to find a way to produce somewhere in between.
While it is hardly fair to expect six shut-out innings without any walks every outing with his ability and developing pitches there is no reason to think that Newcomb cannot be consistent in 2018.
To take it a step further it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him develop into a top of the rotation starter one that would match up against any other ace in the National League his ceiling cannot get much higher.
Game three of the season will be pitched at Wrigley Field for Newcomb a game that Braves fans will be watching to see which Sean Newcomb shows up in Chicago.