Fansided

Who is your MLB team’s unsung hero so far this season

By Brad Weiss

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Trevor Story
DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Trevor Story /
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 07: Starting pitcher Sean Newcomb #15 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the second inning against the Washington Nationals during game two of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on August 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 07: Starting pitcher Sean Newcomb #15 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the second inning against the Washington Nationals during game two of a doubleheader at Nationals Park on August 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves: Sean Newcomb

One of the biggest surprises of the 2018 MLB season has been the play of the Atlanta Braves, who are battling it out with the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East. The Braves have been led by some solid veterans, and younger players who have really stepped up this season, and look like a team that is here to stay.

One of those young players has been starting pitcher Sean Newcomb, who has become one of the top arms in their rotation. A former first round selection of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Newcomb got a taste of the big leagues last season, making 19 starts for the Braves as a 24-year old, but he has come into his own in year No. 2.

The left-hander has made 23 starts for Atlanta this season, and has improved in every metric that you can measure for a pitcher. His earned run average is a solid 3.40, and he has already set a career-high with ten wins. The development he has shown is a big reason why the Braves are comfortable with him pitching every fifth day.

During his breakout season, Newcomb has had to deal with both success, and adversity. After nearly pitching a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 29, old tweets were revealed that showed Newcomb using homophobic slurs and racial epithets. He and his teammates worked through it, and the issue seems to have been resolved.

Atlanta is here to stay, as they not only have solid talent up and down their lineup, but starting pitchers like Newcomb who are not afraid to toe the rubber against anybody. They were expected to be a year or two away from being contenders, but that time frame has been accelerated big time.

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