By Dick Dornan, special to pepperdinesports.com
MALIBU, Calif. - Nathan Newman, a right-handed pitcher, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 17th round. He also was drafted in the 10th round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners but opted to return to Pepperdine for his senior season. In two full years at Pepperdine, Newman went 11-9, recorded 149 strikeouts and was a 2008 All-WCC First Team Honoree. He became the tenth Wave to be drafted by Detroit, following in the footsteps of Rob Picciolo ('74), Cade Gaspar ('94) and Danny Worth ('07).
"It was a great feeling to be drafted," Newman said enthusiastically. "Minor League baseball is amazing. You don't have to worry about school. Just play ball."
Shortly after the draft was completed, Newman was off to Oneonta, New York, to play for the Oneonta Tigers, a Class A affiliate of Detroit. Oneonta is a member of the New York Penn League and the Tigers compete in the NYP Stedler Division. They finished this past season in second place with a 35-39 record, 9 ½ games back of the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox affiliate).
Having grown up in Houston, Texas, Newman knew his new town of Oneonta would be a change of scenery and lifestyle.
"It was definitely a change in pace," Newman said. "I had no car so I just rode a bicycle everywhere. It was a great time. I was fortunate to have a lot of good teammates."
His first outing (started vs. Lowell on June 23) and his first pitch in pro ball was "an adrenaline rush". He struck out the first two batters he faced. He went on to pitch three innings, allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out five. A very solid debut indeed.
"My heart was pounding. I thought I was going to have cardiac arrest," Newman stated. "I had to calm down."
Newman went on to have a successful campaign in his first minor league season for the Tigers. He started nine games, throwing 42 innings, allowing 11 earned runs (2.34 ERA) and compiling a 2-1 record. He didn't give up a single home run all summer.
"Everyone has a chip on their shoulders and a lot to prove," Newman said of his opponents. "It's all about being consistent. You are out there by yourself. It's a challenge."
He is now spending the offseason in Houston working on a strict regiment with weightlifting and conditioning. He even picked up Yoga to help his flexibility and self-discipline.
"I'm getting shown up by 60 year old women," Newman laughed.
As Newman looks to master the art of Yoga and prepare for the 2010 Spring Training with the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., his former Wave teammate, Nate Simon, enjoyed his first minor league experience playing just 278 miles west of Oneonta in Jamestown, N.Y., as a member of the Jamestown Jammers.
Newman and Simon were able to spend some time together when both teams played each other in Oneonta. Simon's Jammers won two of three games from Newman's Tigers. Neither player got to play in the series but they had the opportunity to enjoy dinner together for a couple nights.
