Middleboro High’s Newcomb traded from Sox to Athletics

Middleboro High School star pitcher Sean Newcomb has traded in his red socks for the green, yellow and white of the Athletics.

The Boston Red Sox traded Newcomb to the Athletics in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced Tuesday, May 27.

Newcomb is no stranger to the Athletics. He appeared in 14 games with the club over the last two seasons.

These Athletics no longer represent Oakland, their longtime home. They are now playing in West Sacramento, California, through 2027, when they are scheduled to relocate to the Las Vegas area. For now, they are simply called the Athletics.

Newcomb's season began in storybook fashion for the pitcher. He was invited to Red Sox spring training as a non-roster player. His springtime performance turned heads, with some observers describing him as the team’s best pitcher.

He allowed just two runs, one earned, in more than 14 innings in spring training play. His earned run average was less than 1.00.

That impressive performance earned him the coveted spot as Opening Day pitcher, making him one of only 28 Massachusetts-born pitchers to earn that honor.

But he struggled some in the March 31 Opening Day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Newcomb allowed four runs on eight hits during the first inning. But he settled down, following up with three scoreless innings.

He threw 40 of 64 pitches for strikes. He took the loss in the game, which the Sox dropped 8-5.

His struggles continued through the Red Sox season, with a 0-4 record and an earned run average of just under 4.00.

Newcomb brings significant major league experience to his new team.

The Los Angeles Angels selected Newcomb as the 15th pick of the first-round draft in 2014.

Newcomb has a 4.51 earned run average with 438 strikeouts in 175 major league games, including 60 starts. He has played with the Atlanta Braves from 2017 to 2022, the Chicago Cubs in 2022, and the Oakland Athletics in 2023 and 2024.

And he definitely has plenty of area fans cheering him on. He was a standout for Middleboro High, with a 0.46 earned run average as a senior. He registered 110 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched.

As a senior, he helped lead the Sachems to a title by going 9-0 with three saves. Newcomb was inducted into the Middleboro High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

He picked up even more local fans when he played for the Wareham Gatemen in 2012 and 2013.