Kevin Newman is playing too well to be removed from the Reds roster

Looking at this stat line, there's no way you'd be calling for this Cincinnati Reds player to be sent to the minor leagues.

Over the last 15 games, this player is hitting .349 with 15 hits, including four doubles. Said player has five multi-hit games including four consecutive and has a .310 batting average for the month of May. He's also drawn more walks (9) than strikeouts (7).

No, it's not Reds All-Star frontrunner Jonathan India or even rookie sensation Matt McLain. Nope, it's infielder Kevin Newman.

Kevin Newman is playing too well to be removed from the Reds roster.

Kevin Newman has been a name that's popped up routinely to be sent to Louisville when Elly De La Cruz makes his arrival, but it's becoming quite obvious that the former Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop is playing way too well to be optioned to Triple-A.

Don't get me wrong, the Reds are going to have to make some roster moves. The club is awaiting the return of former NL MVP Joey Votto as well as the arrival of top prospects Elly De La Cruz and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

But Newman's sudden outburst at the dish and his defensive versatility have all but secured his spot on the active roster regardless of who makes it to the bigs next.

Newman has crushed left-handed pitching, hitting .319/.396/.511 against southpaws on the year. Newman could be useful across the infield against left-handed pitching, or used as a bench bat deep in the game against a left handed reliever.

The opportunities to keep the veteran infielder on the Cincinnati Reds roster are there. The Reds are going to need to make some roster moves to clear spots for their young prospects, but Newman's spot should be all but secure. Expect to see Newman on the Reds roster for the rest of this season, or at least until the trade deadline.