Photo by Ed Delany, MMN

No. 8 Shervyen Newton  Infielder 

B/T: S/R   Age: 20 (4/24/1999)
Height: 6’4”  Weight: 180 lbs
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent in 2015 ($50,000 out of Netherlands)
ETA: 2022  Previous Rank: 10
2019 Stats: .209 AVG, .283 OBP, .330 SLG, 15 2B, 9 HR, 8.7 BB%, 32.9 K%, 81 wRC+

The infielder began his Mets career with the DSL Mets in 2016 at the age of 17. Newton would go on to struggle in 150 plate appearances, thus making the Mets decision to have him repeat the league in 2017 a warranted one. 2017 however would be a the complete opposite of a season for the young infielder. In 303 plate appearances Newton had an average of .311 with an on-base percentage of .411 thanks to his nearly identical strikeout to walk ratio (57K/50BB). His stat line was also rounded out with 10 stolen bases.

With his age 19 season approaching in 2018, the Mets decided it was time to send Newton to Kingsport for rookie ball. While leading the team in plate appearances (266) he was able to amass a .280 average and .408 on-base percentage, with five home runs and 41 RBIs. The season was a positive one, yet a red flag did develop as Newton struck out in 31.6% of his at-bats. He did however, keep his on-base high as he managed to walk 46 times, finishing second in the league in that category.

As the 2019 season started many, including myself, had Newton pegged as the breakout prospect to watch heading into his first full season with Columbia in A-Ball. Unfortunately, the season did not go as planned as Newton started the year with a shoulder injury forcing him to miss almost a month and for the most part struggled mightily with a few stretches of well played ball.

In total Newton posted a .209/.283/.330 line with nine home runs and one stolen base. The most worrisome stat of his year, and a repeat of 2018, was the fact that he struck out 139 times at a percentage of 32.9. He once again showed his ability to draw a free pass as he finished second on the team with 37 walks.

While Columbia was not exactly an offensive powerhouse as a team in 2019, the fact that both of the teams other top offensive prospects in Columbia, Ronny Mauricio  and Mark Vientos , both had much more positive showings leaves Newton behind both as far the question of if they are ready to advance to St Lucie in High A-ball. If he can show early on that his 2019 season was due to his shoulder injury and recovery from it, versus being over matched by improved pitching in the SAL, he could move up quickly to join both in the newly remodeled Clover Park.

Defensively, Newton has been a jack of all infield trades having spent time at third base, shortstop and second base. His best trait is his quick reaction as he is a very good athlete who reads the ball well off the bat. His arm is plus as well and affords him to hold his own at any position he is put down for on the lineup card.

Considering that he should spend a lot of time with the aforementioned Vientos and Mauricio, as well as Brett Baty likely progressing through the system along with the trio, second base should be the primary position for Newton moving forward. The outfield is also not out of the question as Newton is athletic enough to play a corner outfield spot.

When talking about Newton the thing you hear most is raw potential especially in the power department. His 6’4” frame affords him the ability to generate a lot of hard contact, and should he continue to develop physically that should increase as well. His bat speed is also above average leaving just his need to make more consistent contact holding him back from being in the upper tier of offensive prospects in the system.

The 2020 season will be a very big one for Newton as he has to start to show that he can be a more complete offensive player. As stated earlier, I would expect him to begin the year in Columbia with the opportunity to move up quickly if he comes out of the gates swinging a hot bat.

Previous Rankings

9 Thomas Szapucki – LHP, 10 Josh Wolf – RHP, 11 Kevin Smith – LHP, 12 Franklyn Kilome – RHP, 13 Jordan Humphreys – RHP, 

14 Junior Santos – RHP, 15 Carlos Cortes – 2B, 16 Freddy Valdez – OF, 17 Adrian Hernandez – CF, 18 Dedniel Nunez – RHP 

19 Alexander Ramirez – OF, 20 Ali Sanchez – C, 25-21 Led by Jaylen Palmer, 30-26 Led by Ryley Gilliam