Jon Niese
Encyclopedia
Jonathon Joseph "Jon" Niese (born October 27, 1986) is an American professional baseball player. A left-handed
pitcher
, he currently plays for the New York Mets
of Major League Baseball
.
on October 27, 1986 (coincidentally on the same night that his future team, the New York Mets
, won Game 7 of the 1986 World Series
). He was brought up in Defiance, Ohio
where he attended Defiance High School. In Little League (and later in high school), Niese was a teammate of Los Angeles Dodger starting pitcher
Chad Billingsley
. In the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
, the Mets chose Niese 209th overall (ninth pick of the seventh round).
, where he pitched in 7 games including 5 starts while earning one win
and zero losses. In , Niese was moved up to Single-A where he split time between the St. Lucie Mets
in Port St. Lucie, Florida
and the Hagerstown Suns
. In , he pitched the entire season for the St. Lucie Mets where he went 11–7 with a 4.39 ERA
In , Niese gained another level beginning the year with the Double-A Binghamton Mets
.
Niese was promoted to the Triple-A
New Orleans Zephyrs
in July 2008. He made his debut for the Zephyrs on July 30, 2008, striking out
seven and allowing only one run
in seven innings.
Niese made his major league debut on September 2, , against the Milwaukee Brewers
. He gave up a home run
to the first batter he faced, Rickie Weeks
. It was the first time in Mets history that a pitcher gave up a home run to the first batter he faced in his career. He ended the day giving up five runs in three innings. In his second start, on September 13, , he earned his first Major League victory pitching eight shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves in a 5–0 victory.
to replace the injured starting pitcher Oliver Perez
. His first start of the season was a success. He pitched 6 innings, giving up two runs, no walks, and struck out 5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
On July 25, 2009, Niese was called up to replace an injured Fernando Nieve
in the starting rotation. Pitching against the Houston Astros, Niese pitched seven innings, giving up only one run.
On August 5, 2009, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Jon Niese was injured trying to reach for a ball at first base. After taking a test pitch, he collapsed on his right leg and was taken out of the game. He suffered a complete tear of the hamstring tendon and had season-ending surgery.
against the San Diego Padres. The only hit was a Chris Denorfia
double in the third inning. After the game Mets' catcher Rod Barajas said (about Niese) "I can't tell you how impressive and how good this guy can be." This one-hitter was only the second time in New York Metropolitan history that a pitcher has pitched to one batter above the minimum.
He was named one of the five starting pitchers on Baseball America
s 2010 All-Rookie Team.
. A fastball
, a cut fastball
, a 12–6 curveball
, and an occasional change-up
.
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, he currently plays for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Biography
Niese was born to Jeffery and Annette Niese in Lima, OhioLima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
on October 27, 1986 (coincidentally on the same night that his future team, the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, won Game 7 of the 1986 World Series
1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
). He was brought up in Defiance, Ohio
Defiance, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,465 people, 6,572 households, and 4,422 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,562.4 people per square mile . There were 7,061 housing units at an average density of 670.0 per square mile...
where he attended Defiance High School. In Little League (and later in high school), Niese was a teammate of Los Angeles Dodger starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
Chad Billingsley
Chad Billingsley
Chad Ryan Billingsley is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Biography:...
. In the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
, the Mets chose Niese 209th overall (ninth pick of the seventh round).
Minor leagues
Niese began his career in the minors in pitching for the Gulf Coast Mets of the Gulf Coast LeagueGulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
, where he pitched in 7 games including 5 starts while earning one win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
and zero losses. In , Niese was moved up to Single-A where he split time between the St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
in Port St. Lucie, Florida
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Port St. Lucie is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, United States. The population of Port St. Lucie was 88,769 at the 2000 census but grew rapidly during the 2000s. In 2009 the State of Florida estimated the City's population at 155,251. Port St. Lucie forms part of a metropolitan area called...
and the Hagerstown Suns
Hagerstown Suns
The Hagerstown Suns are a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. They play in Municipal Stadium, which was opened in 1930 and seats 4,600 fans....
. In , he pitched the entire season for the St. Lucie Mets where he went 11–7 with a 4.39 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
In , Niese gained another level beginning the year with the Double-A Binghamton Mets
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
.
Niese was promoted to the Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
in July 2008. He made his debut for the Zephyrs on July 30, 2008, striking out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
seven and allowing only one run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in seven innings.
2008
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He gave up a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
to the first batter he faced, Rickie Weeks
Rickie Weeks
Rickie Darnell Weeks is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers....
. It was the first time in Mets history that a pitcher gave up a home run to the first batter he faced in his career. He ended the day giving up five runs in three innings. In his second start, on September 13, , he earned his first Major League victory pitching eight shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves in a 5–0 victory.
2009
On May 6, 2009, Niese was called up from Triple-A Buffalo BisonsBuffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
to replace the injured starting pitcher Oliver Perez
Oliver Pérez
Óliver Pérez Martínez is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Washington Nationals organization.-San Diego Padres:...
. His first start of the season was a success. He pitched 6 innings, giving up two runs, no walks, and struck out 5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
On July 25, 2009, Niese was called up to replace an injured Fernando Nieve
Fernando Nieve
Fernando Alexis Nieve [knee-EH-veh] is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros and New York Mets...
in the starting rotation. Pitching against the Houston Astros, Niese pitched seven innings, giving up only one run.
On August 5, 2009, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Jon Niese was injured trying to reach for a ball at first base. After taking a test pitch, he collapsed on his right leg and was taken out of the game. He suffered a complete tear of the hamstring tendon and had season-ending surgery.
2010
On June 10, 2010, Niese pitched the best game of his career, a one-hit shutoutShutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against the San Diego Padres. The only hit was a Chris Denorfia
Chris Denorfia
Christopher Anthony Denorfia is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres.-Early life:...
double in the third inning. After the game Mets' catcher Rod Barajas said (about Niese) "I can't tell you how impressive and how good this guy can be." This one-hitter was only the second time in New York Metropolitan history that a pitcher has pitched to one batter above the minimum.
He was named one of the five starting pitchers on Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
s 2010 All-Rookie Team.
Pitching Repertoire
Niese generally throws four pitchesPitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
. A fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, a cut fastball
Cutter (baseball)
In baseball, a cutter, or cut fastball, is a type of fastball which breaks slightly toward the pitcher's glove side as it reaches home plate. This pitch is somewhere between a slider and a fastball, as it is usually thrown faster than a slider but with more motion than a typical fastball. Some...
, a 12–6 curveball
12–6 curveball
The 12–6 curveball is one of the types of pitches thrown in baseball. It is categorized as a breaking ball because of its downward break. The 12–6 curveball, unlike the normal curveball , breaks in a downward motion in a straight line...
, and an occasional change-up
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
.