Pirates select Kevin Newman 19th overall in 2015 Draft

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have selected shortstop Kevin Newman with the 19th overall selection in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Pirates Director of Scouting Joe DelliCarri.

Newman was named a first-team Pac-12 selection this year after hitting .370 (84-for-227) with 19 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 36 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 55 games this season with the University of Arizona. He was also named to this year's USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Watch List, a second-team Louisville Slugger pre-season All-American and a Perfect Game pre-season third-team All-American.

As a sophomore in 2014, Newman was named to the Pac-12 all-conference team and Pac-12 all-defensive team while hitting .304 in 55 games.

In 2013 with Arizona, he earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America honors and was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference team. He was also one of two freshmen to be named a quarterfinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award for the best college shortstop.

Newman took home back-to-back batting titles while playing in the prestigious Cape Cod League after hitting .375 in 2013 and .380 in 2014. He became the first freshman in Cape Cod League history to win the batting title in 2013.

Newman was scouted by Pirates area scout Derrick Van Dusen.