Former Arizona Wildcats star Kevin Newman is heading back to the desert.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed the veteran shortstop according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post and MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. The contract is a minor league deal, per Gilbert.
Free agent SS Kevin Newman agrees to deal with D-Backs
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 3, 2024
Newman spent the 2023 season with the Cincinnati Reds, where he batted .253 with three home runs and 28 RBI in 225 at bats.
Newman, 30 years old, previously played five seasons in Pittsburgh. He has missed much of the last two seasons with injuries, playing 152 combined games between 2022-23.
Newman played three seasons at Arizona (2013-15). As a junior, he batted .370 and was one of the top defensive shortstops in college baseball. Newman was taken 19th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh.
Newman could become the second former Wildcat on the Diamondbacks next season, joining reliever Kevin Ginkel.
