PITTSBURGH -- Andy Lopez was on the phone Monday afternoon with Pirates closer Mark Melancon, calling to catch up before the first day of the first Draft in more than 30 years that Lopez didn't truly have to invest himself in.
Lopez retired last month after a 33-year run coaching college baseball. He was Melancon's coach at the University of Arizona a decade ago, and they have remained close. At one point Monday, their conversation turned to Kevin Newman.
Lopez told Melancon all about the Arizona shortstop, who was expected to be his final first-round pick -- how Newman isn't all that flashy but always makes the routine plays in the field, how Newman never strikes out and about Newman's exceptional hand-eye coordination.