It’s no secret that the University of Virginia, under the direction of Brian O’Connor, has been one of the best baseball programs in the country for a good while now. They’ve sent numerous players to pro ball, including Chris Taylor and Josh Sborz, who are former Dodgers, and 3 current Dodgers, Jake Gelof, Brandon Neeck, and Chris Newell, The Dodgers just added another Cav with this years draft with Matt Lanznedorfer.
So, the bar has been set high in Charlottesville, in both talent and expectations.
That’s the “Culture” outfielder in the Dodgers system, Chris Newell, became accustomed to, and those are the expectations he’s used to.
Newell grew up playing baseball in the Newtown Edgmont Little League, attended Malvern Prep, and then went on to play for UVA. Now, he’s with the Dodgers, so he’s been a part of three of the best organizations at each level that any young player could be a part of.
Newell says he feels very blessed, and thanks god for all of the opportunities he’s been given.
Background
Newell grew up playing baseball in the Newtown Little League both as a pitcher and a position player, and while playing there, he met EJ Moyer, a coach who ended up being one of his biggest influences. Moyer coached Newell at Newtown, became one of his tournament coaches, and then was also an assistant at Malvern during Newell’s prep career.
Moyer is a large reason why Newell ended up at Malvern, as was the Head Coach there, Freddy Hilliard, who just eclipsed the 400-win mark this year.
He grew up pitching and playing the field, but his pitching career ended when he was 16, when he had to undergo Tommy John Surgery. That surgery came after his Freshman year of High School, so all he could do was hit as a Sophomore, then stayed as an outfielder only from that point on.
Newell had about as good of a career as you could have, winning the Gatorade Player of the Year and 2 state titles. Newell says it’s an experience he’ll never forget.
Yeah, you know, I think the individual accolades were cool, but winning the 3 State Championships in a row is something I’ll definitely never forget. Especially going out my Senior year with that team to win the 3rd one in a row was pretty special, and it’s something that I definitely won’t forget.
UVA
After a legendary Prep Career, both at Malvern and Newtown, Newell knew nothing but winning, so UVA fit right in. At UVA, he played alongside Brandon Neeck and Jake Gelof, both players in the Dodgers organization, and developed a great relationship with both of them.
He says it’s been nice to have them to lean on.
Jake and I would hit together all the time, both during and after practice, and developing that relationship is special. It’s crazy that all 3 of us happen to be here together, and I think it speaks volumes to the program at Virginia.
Brandon and I got to experience our first experiences in pro ball together, and it was nice having each other to lean on and to go through it together has been great.
Pro Ball
Newell was drafted in the 13th Round of the 2022 Draft and spent the remainder of that Summer at the complex. He got off to a hot start in 2023 with Rancho, then got moved up to Great Lakes in June of that year, but got injured and played only 1 game after July 26th.
He started 2024 with the Loons at the High A Level, then got promoted at the beginning of August to AA Tulsa, where he’s been since.
Newell wanted to be a pro baseball player his entire life, so getting drafted and playing pro ball has been a full-circle moment for him.
Yeah, getting drafted is definitely different for everybody. A lot of people think that Draft Day is going to be this great special day, but in reality, it’s very stressful because of all of the uncertainties.
You never know how things are going to go, and being from the East Coast, getting drafted by a West Coast team was a little bit different. I was a little nervous about that at first, just being away from my family, and that was a little bit hard at first, but I think I ended up in the right place.
Treasure Trove
Newell has every tool you could possibly want in a prospect. He has good size at 6’2, he can run, he has a world of power, and a beautiful left-handed swing that should lend itself to him becoming a good hitter.
As with all young players, he’s in the process of finding the best version of what he can be.
Yeah, the tools are there, it’s just being able to combine them together, and being able to create consistency is where I need to improve. I feel like I have the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball, but I think it’s more about understanding who I am as a player and continuing to define myself.
I think my anchor is my defense. I really take pride in my defense in the outfield, and I don’t really care which outfield position it is, because I’ve played all 3 of them. I think where I need to improve is a little more bat-to-ball and putting the ball in play a little more to give myself the chance to impact the game. Whether it be hitting the ball over the fence, or getting on 1st with a base hit, or stealing a base, I think I still have a lot more to offer than I’ve shown so far.
To understand the impact Newell can have on games, or sets of games, all you have to do is go back and watch the runs the Hoos made in 2021 to the College World Series. Newell had 5 stolen bases, and he hit 4 home runs in the postseason, including 2 in the College World Series.
He has great tools, and he’s shown them in the biggest moments.
Finishing Up
Newell has great experience in the game, he has a great work process, high expectations, and is working every day to reach the goal he set for himself all the way back in Kindergarten, to make the Major Leagues.
It was a pleasure to get to speak with Chris, and an honor to get to tell at least part of his story.
It’s a Great Day to be a Dodger!
