Jacob Nix

Jacob Nix
San Diego Padres – No. 63
Pitcher
Born: (1996-01-09) January 9, 1996
Los Alamitos, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 10, 2018, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
(through September 16, 2018)
Win–loss record 2–3
Earned run average 5.75
Strikeouts 19
Teams

Jacob James Nix (born January 9, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected by the Houston Astros in the fifth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft out of Los Alamitos High School, but did not sign, and attended the IMG Academy. He was then drafted by the Padres in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.

Amateur career

Nix grew up playing youth baseball as a catcher. He was involved in a home plate collision at the age of 11 that led to chronic pain in his back, and required spinal fusion surgery, which he had at the age of 12.[1]

Nix attended Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, California, and played for their baseball team. He played as a catcher until his freshman year, when he was needed as a pitcher.[2] In his junior year, Nix pitched to a 7–2 win–loss record with a 2.80 earned run average (ERA), and was named to the Press-Telegram's all-area first team.[3] He committed to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on a college baseball scholarship to play for the UCLA Bruins baseball team. At the start of his senior year of high school, Nix played for the United States national baseball team in the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup.[4] The United States won the gold medal in the event.[5] By the start of his senior season, his fastball velocity ranged from 92 to 95 miles per hour (148 to 153 km/h).[6]

The Houston Astros selected Nix in the fifth round, with the 136th overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. Nix and the Astros agreed to terms on a contract, including a $1.5 million signing bonus, well above the $370,500 recommended at the 136th slot.[5] However, the Astros failed to come to terms with Brady Aiken, the first overall selection of the draft, which reduced their allotted draft pool, leaving them unable to sign Nix without incurring penalties. The Astros reneged on their agreements with Nix and Mac Marshall,[7] and offered Nix a $616,165 signing bonus, which was the most the Astros could offer him without incurring penalties. Nix rejected the offer.[2][8] He filed a grievance against the Astros,[9] which put his collegiate eligibility in jeopardy.[2] The two sides reached a settlement in December, but did not disclose the terms.[10]

Rather than wait for a ruling on his collegiate eligibility, Nix opted to take a post-graduate year at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, to play for their baseball team.[11] In this way, he became eligible for the 2015 MLB draft.[12] After watching him throw for scouts, Keith Law, a draft expert for ESPN, wrote that he believes Nix could be a first-round pick.[13] In ten starts for the IMG Academy, Nix improved his fastball velocity to 95 to 97 miles per hour (153 to 156 km/h), improved his changeup, and developed a curveball.[8]

Professional career

Nix did not consent to being reselected by the Astros in the 2015 draft.[2] The San Diego Padres selected Nix in the third round, with the 86th overall selection, of the draft.[14] He signed with the Padres, receiving a $900,000 signing bonus.[15] Nix was assigned to the AZL Padres, where he spent the whole season, pitching to a 0-2 record with a 5.49 ERA in seven games. In 2016, Nix pitched for the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Class A Midwest League,[16] where he posted a 3–7 record with a 3.93 ERA.[17]

Nix spent the 2017 season with both the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class A-Advanced California League[18] and the San Antonio Missions of the Class AA Texas League, where he went a combined 5-5 with a 4.67 ERA between both teams.[19] In 2018, the Padres invited Nix to spring training.[15] Nix made nine starts for San Antonio, pitching to a 2.05 ERA, and then made one start for the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League, not allowing a run, before the Padres decided to promote Nix to the major leagues to make his debut on August 10.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Downey's Gabriel Llanes, Los Alamitos' Jake Nix on verge of realizing dream". presstelegram.com. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Apstein, Stephanie (March 31, 2015). "Rejected by Astros, Jacob Nix hopes for better in 2015 MLB draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  3. ↑ Trevino, Chris (March 25, 2014). "Senior pitcher Jacob Nix looking to lead talented Los Alamitos baseball". Press-Telegram. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ Sondheimer, Eric (September 3, 2013). "Baseball: Jacob Nix helps USA 18U team defeat Cuba, 6–5". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  5. 1 2 McTaggart, Brian (June 17, 2014). "Astros reach deal with fifth-round Draft pick Nix". MLB.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ Sondheimer, Eric (January 27, 2014). "Baseball: Jacob Nix is rising fast as a pitcher for Los Alamitos". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Jacob Nix tells his side of Astros' draft drama". Ultimate Astros. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Nightengale, Bob (June 1, 2015). "A year after million-dollar payday vanished, Jacob Nix set for MLB draft". USA Today. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  9. ↑ Drellich, Evan (August 20, 2014). "Jacob Nix focus of draft grievance against Astros". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  10. ↑ Heyman, Jon (December 15, 2014). "Astros and Nix, a top draftee whose deal was canceled, reach settlement". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ Lara-Cinisomo, Vince (January 12, 2015). "Jacob Nix Enrolls At IMG Academy". Baseball America. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  12. ↑ de Jesus Ortiz, Jose (January 12, 2015). "Jacob Nix to go back into 2015 draft". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ Law, Keith (February 13, 2015). "Jacob Nix showing first-round potential". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Los Angeles Times (June 9, 2015). "Baseball: Pitcher Jacob Nix goes in third round to Padres". latimes.com. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  15. 1 2 https://eastvillagetimes.com/2018/02/jacob-nix-on-the-rise-heading-into-first-big-league-camp/
  16. ↑ "Minors: Jacob Nix perfect for Fort Wayne". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Jacob Nix Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Jacob Nix stars for Lake Elsinore". The San Diego Union-Tribune. June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Jacob Nix Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  20. ↑ https://www.mlb.com/news/jacob-nix-to-be-promoted-to-mlb-this-weekend/c-289400954
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