Newton went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and four RBI for Low-A Columbia on Friday.
The 20-year-old has appeared overmatched for most of the season, slashing .163/.242/.209 with a massive 40.0 percent strikeout rate over his prior 24 games, but Newton was able to do some damage Friday. His athleticism and power potential still give him upside, but the Mets' No. 8 fantasy prospect will have to solve his contact issues if he's ever going to pan out.
Newton went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI for Low-A Columbia on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old infielder got a late start to the season due to a shoulder injury and struggled to find his stroke at the plate, but things finally appear to be clicking. Newton's got a seven-game hitting streak going and has hit safely in nine of the last 10 contests, going 13-for-39 (.333) over that stretch with four doubles, a triple and two homers. The Mets' No. 5 fantasy prospect still only has a .186/.258/.301 slash line through 32 games, but those numbers should continue to rise quickly now that he's healthy.
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Mets' Shervyen Newton: Fans three times in debut
Rotowire
Newton (shoulder) went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his first game with Low-A Columbia on Monday.
It surely wasn't the full-season debut Newton had in mind, but the most important thing is that he's healthy and active after missing the start of the minor-league season due to a shoulder injury. Newton, 19, projects for a ton of power long term as he fills out his 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame. His main focus this season should be working on putting bat to ball with more consistency.
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Mets' Shervyen Newton: Assigned to Low-A
Rotowire
Newton will begin the season with Low-A Columbia, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.
The Mets' No. 5 fantasy prospect, Newton will be sharing an infield with fellow blue chippers Mark Vientos (No. 3) and Ronny Mauricio (No. 4). Newton struggled with strikeouts last season, fanning 84 times in 56 games as a 19-year-old in rookie ball, but his athleticism and bat speed give him significant upside at the plate once he learns to control the strike zone better.
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Mets' Shervyen Newton: Opening season on IL
Rotowire
Newton will begin the minor-league season on the injured list due to a minor shoulder injury, Michael Mayer of MetsMerized reports.
The injury isn't expected to keep Newton sidelined for long. Once healthy, he'll report to Low-A Columbia, where he'll share an infield with fellow prospects Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio. The soon-to-be 20-year-old hit .280/.408/.449 with five homers, four stolen bases and 84 strikeouts in 56 games in rookie ball last season. Newton carries significant upside thanks to his athleticism and bat speed, but he'll need to control the strike zone better in order to fully reach that potential.
