AOW: Pirates advance Newman to Double-A

Everything was going great this summer for Kevin Newman.

The No. 1 pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015 was hitting .366 with Single-A Bradenton of the Florida State League this season when he was hit by a pitch.

That pitch struck the former Poway High and Arizona shortstop near the left eye, fracturing several orbital bones.

Although he avoided surgery, he was shelved for a few weeks.

“I’ve been hit before, but never near the eye,’’ the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said. “The ball looks really big when it’s coming at your eye like that.

“My phone was blowing up by the time I got back into the locker room. My parents knew about it almost before it happened.

“I’ve played baseball for 18 years or so and never had that happen. I’m hoping it doesn’t happen again.’’

Newman is no longer with Bradenton. Following several sessions of facing live pitching to get over any lingering fears, the Pirates promoted him to the Double-A Altoona Curve in Pennsylvania.

“I haven’t flinched,’’ Newman said. “It wasn’t like they were throwing at my head or anything but just trying to get me back on track.’’

That track is what Newman, who turns 23 on Aug. 4, hopes will one day lead him to Pittsburgh and his major-league debut.

Through Sunday, Newman is hitting .333 with four RBIs in six games with Altoona.

“I dream about my first day in the major leagues all the time,’’ Newman said. “But I don’t lose sleep over it. The whole thing is out of my hands.

“I’m really only as close as the Pirates think I am. All I can do is show up every day and play hard. I can live with myself if I do that.’’

Newman’s first pro season in 2015 was, in his own mind, less than thrilling.

After starting off the season hitting .226 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 38 games with West Virginia, playing in Morgantown, in short season Single-A, Newman bounced back with a .306 average with eight RBIs in 23 games for West Virginia in Charleston in full season Single-A.

Even though Newman felt his transition season after signing out of Arizona following his junior year was not as productive as he’d liked, it was good enough for the Pirates to send him to their advanced Single-A team in Bradenton.

“I wasn’t happy with my first season with what I got done after playing a full college season too,’’ Newman said. “I struggled more than I ever have. I knew it would be tough.

“I’m more prepared for everything this year. I got a whole spring training in.’’

While there are mostly serious moments for minor leaguers trying to stay on track and moving toward a shot at playing in the majors, there are those humorous moments that make the journey worthwhile as well.

Newman recalled the game — it was off day for him — when the batter lined a foul ball into the dugout, hitting the pitching coach walking down the tunnel to the locker room.

“The entire dugout was laughing so hard,’’ Newman said. “The pitching coach was the only one not laughing.’’