Welcome to the hitting streamers column for the week of 06/10-06/16. [...]

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman continued to swing a hot bat as he went 1-for-5 in Thursday's 11-5 loss to the Brewers out of the leadoff spot. He now has hit safely in 21 of his 29 appearances. Newman, who has spent most of the season batting sixth or lower, has compiled a slash line of .333/.333/.444 in 18 at-bats when leading off an inning, which is considerably better than Adam Frazier, who formerly occupied the lineup's top spot. As long as the 25-year-old keeps hitting, Newman wi[...]

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier is being dropped from the leadoff spot to the No. 8 spot in the batting order on Thursday against Brewers starting pitcher Chase Anderson. Shortstop Kevin Newman will become a DFS sleeper in the leadoff spot on Thursday. Newman isn't known for his bat really, but he's hit .347/.410/.493 with a homer and 11 RBI in his 75 at-bats and the Bucs will try him in the top spot. Frazier has been extremely mediocre with a .250/.303/.352 line and three home[...]

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to take advantage of breakouts or impact bats before others sure can.The primary challenge of playing in an NL or AL-only league is often the lack of options regarding adding and subtracting players when needed. I[...]

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Kevin Newman made his only hit in four at-bats count in Tuesday's 11-6 loss to the Reds as he cranked a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning. It was the 25-year-old's first career home run. He has now recorded a hit in seven straight games, compiling a slash line of .333/.417/.571 with two runs and five RBI during this stretch. The versatile infielder is definitely someone fantasy owners in all leagues should keep an eye on, especially if the 2015 first[...]

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang (oblique) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. Kang hasn't been hitting well this season, so it's probably not the worst thing in the world to give him some rest. Kevin Newman will draw the start at third base and bat seventh versus lefty Robbie Ray on Monday. Colin Moran figures to draw the starts at third base against right-handed pitching.

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The Top 30 list continues to evolve as prospects get closer to compiling meaningful amounts of at-bats. And were also gaining a better understanding of what big league performances are sustainable, and which ones were the result of small-sample noise.Jonathan Loaisiga and Jon Duplantier rejoin the list after demotions from their respective Major League clubs. Cavan Biggio, Dylan Cease, Keston Hiura, Luis Robert, and [...]

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman (finger) will likely begin a rehab assignment this week, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Things could get interesting at shortstop when Newman is ready to return, as prospect Cole Tucker has been playing now that Erik Gonzalez is on the 60-day injured list with a broken collarbone. Newman will play several positions on his rehab assignment and could return in a utility role if Tucker continues to play well. Newman has hit .216/.257/.245 [...]

A little under a week after suffering a lacerated right ring finger and subsequently landing on the injured list, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman is making strides towards a return. Newman, 25, has resumed hitting and throwing, though no timetable has been announced for his return. After a brief stint in the majors last season, he began this year on the major league roster, hitting .273 in nine games. Erik Gonzalez has taken over as the primary shortstop, hitting .217 in 14 games.