After high school, Newcomb enrolled at theUniversity of Hartford. As a freshman for theHartford Hawks baseball team in 2012, Newcomb started nine games before suffering a season-ending injury. His first college win was ano-hitter againstYale.[1][3] He finished the year with a 2–4win–loss record with a 4.17 ERA and 45 strikeouts in45+1⁄3 innings. As a sophomore in 2013, he started 12 of 13 games, going 5–4 with a 3.75 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 72 innings. In 2012 and 2013, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theWareham Gatemen of theCape Cod Baseball League.[4][5][6] Newcomb started his junior season without allowing a run through his first39+2⁄3 innings.[7][8] He finished the year 8–2 with a 1.25 ERA and 106 strikeouts in93+1⁄3 innings. He was named the 2014America East Pitcher of the Year, becoming the first Hawk to win a major conference award.
Newcomb was considered a top prospect for the2014 Major League Baseball draft.[9] He was drafted in the first round, 15th overall, by theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[10] He signed with the Angels, receiving a $2,518,000signing bonus.[11] Newcomb was assigned to the Single–ABurlington Bees and later, in 2015, promoted to the Double–AArkansas Travelers,[12][13] where he ended his first full season in professional baseball; he had a combined 2.38 ERA across 3 levels. Finishing 2nd in minor league baseball with 168 strikeouts.[14]
Newcomb was invited to spring training for the second time at the start of the 2017 season.[19] He started the season with theGwinnett Braves of theTriple–AInternational League.[20] Newcomb pitched to a 2.97 ERA in54+2⁄3 innings, alongside 74 strikeouts and 33 walks prior to his first promotion to the major leagues.[21][22] He made his major league debut on June 10, 2017, for the Braves atSunTrust Park against theNew York Mets. He pitched6+1⁄3 innings, allowing four hits and one unearned run with seven strikeouts.[23] For the season, he was 4–9 with a 4.32 ERA.[24] On July 29, 2018, Newcomb took a no-hitter through8+2⁄3 innings untilChris Taylor singled. The Braves defeated theLos Angeles Dodgers 4–1.[25] After this outing, social media posts Newcomb made toTwitter at the age of eighteen came to light. The comments included homophobic slurs and racial epithets.[26][27] During the 2018 season, Newcomb tallied an ERA of 3.91, but struggled over his final fourteen starts, recording a 5.50 ERA in that span.[28]
Newcomb started the Braves' first game atSunTrust Park in 2019. He faced theChicago Cubs, pitching four innings of an 8–0 win.[29] Newcomb completed the seventh inning in his next game against theMiami Marlins,[30] but struggled against theNew York Mets,[31] leading to his demotion to the Gwinnett Stripers on April 14.[32][33] Newcomb returned to the major league club on May 4,[34] and made several relief appearances.[35][36] He returned to the starting rotation to face the Philadelphia Philles on June 15, 2019. Newcomb was struck in the head by a batted ball fromJ. T. Realmuto, and left the game.[37][38] He was subsequently placed on the seven-day injured list.[39][40] Newcomb was reactivated on June 25,[41] and faced theChicago Cubs as a reliever that night.[42][43]
Newcomb endured an abysmal 2020 season, registering an 11.20 ERA in 13.2 innings pitched across 4 games, striking out 10.[44]
In 2021 with the Braves he was 2–0 with one save and a 4.73 ERA, as in 32 relief appearances he pitched 32.1 innings, walked 27 batters, and struck out 43 batters.[45] The Braves finished with an 88–73 record, clinching the NL East, and eventually won the 2021 World Series, giving the Braves their first title since 1995.[46]
The Braves designated Newcomb for assignment on April 19, 2022.[47]
On April 20, 2022, Newcomb was traded to theChicago Cubs in exchange forJesse Chavez and cash considerations.[48] After spending time on the injured list with a left ankle sprain, he was activated on June 13. Newcomb allowed five runs in an inning of work in an 18–4 loss against theNew York Yankees and was designated for assignment after the game.[49] On June 20, Newcomb wasoutrighted to the Triple-AIowa Cubs.
On August 4, Newcomb was selected back to the active roster to start the second game of adoubleheader against theSt. Louis Cardinals.[50] On September 17, Newcomb was once again designated for assignment by the Cubs. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Iowa on September 19.[51] He elected free agency on October 6.
On February 6, 2023, Newcomb signed a minor league contract with theSan Francisco Giants organization.[52] In 20 appearances split between the Single–ASan Jose Giants and Triple–ASacramento River Cats, he registered a cumulative 3.15 ERA with 45 strikeouts in34+1⁄3 innings pitched.[53]
On August 22, 2023, Newcomb was traded to theOakland Athletics in exchange forTrenton Brooks.[54] The next day, Oakland selected Newcomb's contract, adding him to the major league roster.[55] After posting a 3.00 ERA across 7 appearances for Oakland, Newcomb was placed on the injured list with a sprained left knee on September 17.[56] On September 20, it was announced that Newcomb had undergone left kneelateral meniscus surgery, ending his season;[57] he was transferred to the 60-day injured list the same day.[58]
On November 2, 2023, Newcomb signed a one–year, $1 million contract extension with the Athletics.[59] On December 20, Newcomb underwent anarthroscopic surgery on his rightknee, with the procedure projected to have him ready for game action by spring training.[60] He was placed on the 60-day injured list to begin the 2024 season after getting behind schedule in his recovery process.[61] Newcomb was activated from the injured list on June 4, 2024.[62] On June 21, Newcomb became the first pitcher in Athletics' history to earn a win without officially facing a batter. With the A's trailing theMinnesota Twins 5–4 in the eighth inning, Newcomb entered in relief ofLucas Erceg with a runner on first and two outs. Newcomb picked offAustin Martin at first to end the inning; Oakland eventually took the lead later in the inning and won the game 6–5.[63] In 7 games, he struggled to a 6.30 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 10 innings of work. Newcomb was designated for assignment by Oakland on July 2.[64] He was released by the organization on July 5.[65]
