When Dave Newton was pitching for West Valley College last
spring, he couldn’t have imagined that he would be playing in high
Class A less than one year later.
When Dave Newton was pitching for West Valley College last spring, he couldn’t have imagined that he would be playing in high Class A less than one year later.
But that’s just what has happened. The San Jose Giants won 14 of their first 19 games this season which was two games better than any other team in the 10-team California League.
“It’s one of the best teams I’ve ever been on defensively and offensively,” Newton said during a telephone conversation. “Our bullpen is really good.”
Newton, a Gilroy resident and Live Oak graduate who turned 21 last month, is one of those relievers. His earned run average is good (3.52), but he acknowledges he’s walking too many batters (seven in 7 2/3 innings).
Still, he’s thrilled with his less than one-year journey that took him from West Valley to Arizona Rookie League to short-season Salem-Keizer to San Jose. A 5-11, 200-pound righthander, he was an all-star pitcher in rookie ball where he posted a 3-1 record, 1.14 ERA and struck out 31 in 23 2/3 innings.
“I was really surprised,” Newton said of his promotion to San Jose. “I thought I was going to Augusta (low Class A). I was shocked but pretty excited. It was a big thing for me because me family and friends can come out to see me.”
One of Newton’s biggest supporters is West Valley College coach Mike Perez.
“To go from signing last June to rookie ball to San Jose in less than a year is a huge promotion,” Perez said.
Newton praised Perez as someone who taught him all of the nuances of the game.
“I wouldn’t be playing baseball any more if I hadn’t gone to West Valley and played for coach Perez,” Newton said. “I knew everything when I got here. He knows the game inside and out. It’s awesome how much he taught me.”
Newton was a closer-shortstop for a Live Oak team that went to the Central Coast Section playoffs during his two years as an Acorn, and a closer-outfielder for West Valley. Now he is strictly a relief pitcher trying to find himself in a hitter’s league. He said he is enjoying the traveling, getting to see parts of the state he had never previously seen.
Interestingly, Newton grew up more of an Oakland Athletics fan. That changed quickly when the Giants drafted him, he said laughing.
“I was pretty pumped,” he said of being drafted by a Bay area team. “I would have gone anywhere. But it’s pretty cool being with a team so close to home. I figured I would try and do whatever I can to help team win when I come in.”
Despite his small stature (“I’m smaller than any of the other pitchers here”), he throws the ball in the low 90s and is considered a strikeout pitcher.
“I don’t think it really affects me,” he said. “I show no fear and just go after hitters. I’m still going to challenge them with my fast ball more often than not.”
