Kevin Newman makes Baseball America's list of top NY-Penn League prospects

Kevin Newman places seventh in Baseball America's list of the top 20 prospects in the New York-Penn League. He's the only Pirates prospect on the list. The Bucs' Morgantown affiliate also featured early-round draft picks like Kevin Kramer, Casey Hughston, Brandon Waddell, J.T. Brubaker and Mitchell Tolman.

BA notes that scouts like Newman's bat and feel he can hit in the big leagues, but question whether he's going to stick at shortstop -- his arm and range might not be quite good enough for everyday duty, in which case he could move to second or be a utility guy.

Newman got off to a brutal start with Morgantown, but mostly recovered as the summer continued and then hit pretty well in 23 games with the West Virginia Power. As with most recent draftees, it's hard to get much of a read on his statistics. We'll know more next season, which he'll likely start either with the Power or in Bradenton.

Related: 

Kevin Newman Q+A

Pirates draft pick Kevin Newman: 'I can't wait to get out there'

Kevin Newman ready to start journey through minor leagues