Newcomb allowed one run on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Saturday while striking out three in a split-squad game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

After being officially named to the Braves' rotation earlier in the day, Newcomb went out and walked more batters in one start than he had in the entire spring to that point. The lefty still has a strong 15:5 K:BB through 15.1 innings, but after walking an unacceptable 12.5 percent of the batters he faced during his big-league debut in 2017, Newcomb will need to do a better job of harnessing his arsenal if he's going to be a reliable fantasy asset.

Newcomb will begin the 2018 season in the Braves' starting rotation, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb had a respectable debut season in Atlanta last season with a 4.32 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 19 starts after being called up in June. The 24-year-old had a solid 9.7 K/9 in 2017 but his 5.1 BB/9 could use some improvement, and hopefully he can carry over his spring training success (two walks over 10.2 innings) to the regular season.

Newcomb retired all 14 batters he faced, striking out six of them, in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Philly was trotting out a typical spring road lineup that only featured four players likely to be among its Opening Day starters, but this was still a very exciting performance by Newcomb. The 24-year-old now has a 12:2 K:BB through 10.2 spring frames, and if the improved control he's shown in that limited sample carries forward into the regular season, he could pay big fantasy dividends as a late-round sleeper.

Newcomb could make his first start of the season for Triple-A Gwinnett as the Braves won't need a fifth starter until Apr. 10, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old lefty is in no danger of losing his rotation spot, but given that he has minor-league options left, Newcomb could spend the first week-plus of the season in the minors so that the team can carry an extra bench bat or reliever. He's had a solid start to his spring, posting a 6:2 K:BB in six innings, and Newcomb's ability to curb his wildness after turning in a 5.1 BB/9 over 100 innings last year in his big-league debut will go a long way towards determining whether he has any kind of 2018 breakout.

Newcomb gave up one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over three innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

A Teoscar Hernandez solo shot in the third inning was the only blemish on Newcomb's performance. The left-hander now has a 6:2 K:BB through six innings this spring, a figure that would represent a marked improvement on his 1.89 K/BB last season as a rookie if he's able to carry it forward into the regular season. Newcomb seems locked into the fifth starter role for the Braves, but his fantasy value will hinge on sharpening his control.

Newcomb is in the running for one of the final two spots in the Braves' rotation entering spring training, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The only three hurlers assured a spot in the rotation at this point are Julio Teheran, Mike Foltynewicz and Brandon McCarthy. This leaves the final two spots open for the taking, and O'Brien makes it seem like it's currently a four-horse race between Newcomb, Luiz Gohara, Scott Kazmir (hip) and Max Fried. Gohara seems to have a leg up on the other two candidates thanks to his success in the majors last season, but Newcomb certainly has a good reason to claim the other spot. The 24-year-old held his own during his rookie season last year, posting a passable 4.32 ERA to go with a 9.7 K/9. Newcomb's issues with command turn some people off, but a strong spring would certainly give him an excellent chance to be a mainstay in Atlanta's rotation.

Newcomb (4-9) gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over five innings in Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Mets. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

With just four games left for the Braves, Newcomb's 2017 is over. This was a rocky but promising rookie campaign for the 24-year-old Newcomb, who struggled with his control (5.1 BB/9) but also showed great strikeout ability (9.7 K/9) and kept the ball in the yard (0.9 HR/9). His 4.32 ERA and 1.57 WHIP won't set hearts racing, but Newcomb bears watching heading into next spring -- if he can get his pitches over the plate more consistently, the big lefty has the stuff to be a star.

Newcomb (4-8) held Philadelphia to two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts through 5.1 innings to earn the win Friday over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Newcomb hasn't completed the sixth inning in his past six starts, but he is now 3-1 in those starts with a solid 3.86 ERA. He won't continue to pitch that well if he continues to walk five batters per nine innings, but if he can rein in his control, Newcomb has a chance to stick in Atlanta's rotation.

Newcomb (3-8) struck out eight and held the Mets to two runs on six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts through 5.1 innings to earn the win Friday night.

EDGE Analysis

This marks the deepest Newcomb has lasted in a game since he completed six innings August 15 against the Rockies. For once, his wildness didn't get the best of him. Newcomb had walked a whopping 17 batters over just 25.2 innings over his last five starts. If he can limit the walks going forward, he has nasty enough stuff to be a successful starter, but the question will always be if he can throw the strikes when he needs them.

Newcomb allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters through five innings during Thursday's win over Miami. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie entered Thursday's start with a rock-solid 3.83 ERA and 10.2 K/9 through his past eight outings, so this was a solid follow up. Free passes continue to be the biggest hindrance to Newcomb's fantasy value, as he sports a 5.3 BB/9 for the campaign. Still, with a string of consistently strong outings, Newcomb's stock remains on the rise. He lines up to face Washington at Nationals Park in his next start.