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Former Ranger Farmhand Mike Nickeas to the Majors

So I'm scanning Yahoo's MLB page, and I see this blurb in the transactions section:

M. Nickeas, NYM, C Purchased from minor


For those who don't remember, way back when, Mike Nickeas was thought to be the Rangers' catcher of the future.  He was a 5th round draft pick in the 2004 draft who turned heads quickly in short-season ball after signing.  In the 2004-05 offseason and in 2005 spring training, you heard a ton of buzz about Nickeas.

Nickeas was fast-tracked by the organization, starting the 2005 season at AA.  That sort of jump is rare for any but upper-first-rounders, and Nickeas couldn't handle it, failing to hit, getting hurt, and ultimately flaming out in the Ranger system before being dealt to the Mets for Victor Diaz in August, 2006.

The Rangers pretty clearly mishandled him, and it has been suggested that rushing him crippled his career, but he's had a pretty nice season this year in AA for the Mets.  He's likely been added to the 40 man roster to provide the Mets with a third catcher for the final month, but one would guess he'll end up appearing in a major league game, which isn't bad for a fifth rounder whose original organization gave up on him about two years after he was drafted.




 

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You could just sign up for Jamey's report, you would have already know this.

=P

"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW

by Rodney on Sep 3, 2010 6:25 PM CDT reply actions  

He's starting tomorrow.

Mike will be getting the start tomorrow (Saturday). He’s catching top prospect Jenrry Mejia who he caught at multiple levels of the minors this year.

by Ellie S on Sep 3, 2010 6:59 PM CDT reply actions  

I wish Nickeas well

but, I’m not sure it’s fair to say that the Rangers “mishandled” him when it took 6 years after he was drafted for him to get an end of the year call up. Sounds more like a guy that played over his head the first year he was in the system and then regressed to playing more like a 5th rounder.

by twinkilling on Sep 3, 2010 7:33 PM CDT reply actions  

Who knows

Who knows how he would have developed had he not been sent straight to AA. You can’t just say “it took him 6 years so he must not be very good”. He probably should have gone to High A and spent at least half a year there possibly a full year before seeing AA.

by bigsteve on Sep 3, 2010 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

Victor Diaz was so awesome.

Just wish he coulda taken a pitch here and there.

'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'

by scoop16 on Sep 3, 2010 7:37 PM CDT reply actions  

I remember the 2 weeks he reminded everybody of Manny

And how Nelson Cruz not panning out wasn’t a big deal because Diaz filled the void

by ab03 on Sep 3, 2010 7:46 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Just looked him up.

With the Rangers, he had 9 HRs and 1 walk in 108 PAs.

This year he’s in the Mexican League, 29 HRs 58 BBs and a .984 OPS.

29 years old.

'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'

by scoop16 on Sep 3, 2010 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

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