June 18, 2008

By Steve Batterson, Quad City Times

Brett Newsome didn't get the call he wanted in last week's baseball draft, but the heavy-hitting St. Ambrose (Iowa) first baseman did get an opportunity. A .470 hitter who was named the player of the year in the Midwest Collegiate Conference last season, Newsome went undrafted but has opted to forego his senior season of eligibility with the Fighting Bees.

He has signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Nationals and will report to the club's spring training camp in Melbourne, Fla., on Sunday, an assignment he eventually expects to lead him to the organization's rookie-level team in the Gulf Coast League.

"All I wanted was a shot, and I've got that,'' Newsome said. "Now, it's up to me to produce." Newsome had free-agent opportunities with the Nationals, Orioles and Phillies after the draft and attempted to determine what would be the best fit for him before signing with Washington.

"Looking at the organization, I see it as probably my best opportunity to play the most, and that is what I want," Newsome said. "In talking with (St. Ambrose coach Jim) Callahan, he felt it was a good situation and an organization that would give me a chance and one that squeezes as much talent out of its players as it can."

Newsome weighed returning for his senior season at St. Ambrose as well, but determined that it was in his best interest to sign professionally.

"There were 34 NAIA guys drafted and 26 of them were pitchers and nearly all of them went after the 30th round so there wasn't any pressure from a monetary standpoint to return," Newsome said. "My feeling is that from a development standpoint and a chance to compete against better competition, this is the best thing for me."

In addition to leading the Fighting Bees with his .470 batting average, the 6-foot-2 Newsome led St. Ambrose with a .792 slugging percentage, 70 hits, 63 RBIs, 20 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 36 walks.

"Do we hate to lose a hitter like that? Yeah, but this what he wants to do, it's a good opportunity, and after putting up the numbers he put up, it's understandable why he would want to take on the challenge at the next level,'' Fighting Bees assistant coach Tony Huntley said.

Newsome is the first St. Ambrose player to sign a professional contract since pitcher Mitch Wylie was drafted by the White Sox in the eighth round in 1998. The last Bees' position player to sign was Sean Murphy, a third-round pick of the Indians in the 1994 draft.