Three days after the Red Sox designated Sean Newcomb for assignment, the Athletics added the left-hander via trade for cash. Newcomb, who pitched for the Athletics in 2023-24, gives the team additional depth and looks somewhat different compared to the past.
A Look at Newcomb
The Red Sox signed Sean Newcomb, a Massachusetts native, this past January on a Minor League deal. Newcomb pitched very well in Spring Training, as he posted a .63 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 14 innings. That performance, coupled with injuries — Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Lucas Giolito all started on the IL — helped him made the Sox’s roster.
Newcomb worked much of April as a starter, before moving to the bullpen and working in short & long relief. Overall, Newcomb’s peripherals weren’t too bad, with a 3.95 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 41 innings.
However, Newcomb gave up 55 hits despite what was a relatively decent 7.8% Barrel%. He gave up a hefty amount of hard-hit contact (50.4%) in 2025 but much of it was limited to the ground.
There’ve been some tweaks to Newcomb’s delivery in 2025. The veteran left-hander lowered his arm slot (32°), compared to the mean average arm slot in 2024 (39°).
Doing that can add some deception to the fastball by flattening the approach angle, making it appear as if it’s rising. The numbers bear that out somewhat, as the 26.3% Whiff% on the four-seamer in 2025 would be a career-best if that number holds.
Newcomb’s velocity is down, though, as the lefty’s fastball sat on average over one MPH slower compared to last season.
Additionally, Newcomb threw his cutter more. The left-hander barely used it with the Athletics but did frequently (20%) as a Red Sox. It’s not an out pitch but one he often used to run in on right-handers. It got hit around, as Newcomb conceded 16 hits (.571 AVG) on it this season.
The former first-round pick’s command has never been a strong suit. Newcombo posted BB% rates north of 14% between 2021-24.
The Athletics’ addition of Sean Newcomb came amid a flurry of moves, as the A’s DFA’d Ryan Cusick & Matt Krook and placed Nick Kurtz on the injured list.
Analysis
Athletics fans are likely familiar with Newcomb, as he pitched for the team in Oakland between 2023-24. And more specifically, the Athletics’ brass is familiar with him.
He’s always been a fascinating arm, as Newcomb has good stuff, including a curveball and slurve, which rates as having above-average movement. That curveball, for example, had 5.2 more downward vertical break this season compared to the league average.
However, he’s never been able to hit that lofty ceiling evaluators had for him over a decade ago.
Newcomb gives the Athletics some degree of pitching depth, especially when taking into account he can keep the ball on the ground. Which is incredibly important in Sutter Health Park.
Lastly, the Athletics DFA’d Ryan Cusick months after he was placed on the 40-man roster. Cusick, one of the pieces acquired in the Matt Olson trade, struggled with command since the move over the A’s.
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