Wil Nieves
Encyclopedia
Wilbert Nieves is a Puerto Rican
professional baseball
catcher
of Major League Baseball
and is currently a free agent.
, and played 28 games with them during their 2002 season
.
Nieves later played for the New York Yankees
, having been acquired by the team from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
for pitcher Bret Prinz
. Nieves won a spot on the Yankees roster by beating out Todd Pratt
and Raul Chavez
during spring training
. He served as the back-up catcher to Jorge Posada
, but was primarily considered Mike Mussina
's "personal catcher." Joe Torre
experimented with using Nieves to help bolster Mussina out of a rough stretch with good results.
Nieves made his first career non-catching appearance in the ninth inning of a game on July 8, 2007, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; he played first base when the Yankees ran low on position players.
Following an impressive 2-for-3 performance against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
on July 21, 2007, Nieves was designated for assignment
by the Yankees following news that they had acquired José Molina from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Though respected as a good defensive catcher, Nieves hit just .164 for the Yankees.
"It's just business and I really want this team to go all the way to the playoffs and, hopefully, win the World Series
," Nieves said. "They're a bunch of great guys. I love them, Torre
and all those guys. They can improve the backup catcher and they're bringing in Molina. He's a great catcher, too."
Nieves cleared waivers, and reported to the Yankees' Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on July 27, 2007. Nieves was the starting catcher for Scranton. He declared free agency in October 2007. He played for Licey in the Dominican Winter League during the off season.
He started the 2008 season in the Washington Nationals organization with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
of the International League
. On April 25, 2008, Nieves hit his first major-league home run, a walk-off home run
to right field, to give the Nationals a 5–3 win over the Chicago Cubs
. Nieves was the backup catcher to starter Jesus Flores
in the 2009 season. Nieves has been the backup catcher for Ivan Rodriguez
in 2010.
On December 10, 2010, Nives signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers
.
He was traded to the Atlanta Braves
on July 27, 2011, for cash considerations. He was demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett shortly after.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
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...
and is currently a free agent.
Career
Nieves made his major league debut on July 21, 2002, for the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, and played 28 games with them during their 2002 season
2002 San Diego Padres season
-Offseason:*December 27, 2001: Alan Embree was signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.* February 24, 2002: Trenidad Hubbard was signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres....
.
Nieves later played for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, having been acquired by the team from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for pitcher Bret Prinz
Bret Prinz
Bret Randolph Prinz is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League. Previously, Prinz played with the Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees , Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim , and Chicago White Sox...
. Nieves won a spot on the Yankees roster by beating out Todd Pratt
Todd Pratt
Todd Alan Pratt is a former Major League Baseball catcher from 1992-2006. He has primarily served as a back-up catcher for most of his career....
and Raul Chavez
Raúl Chávez
Raúl Alexander Chávez is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a member of the New York Mets organization...
during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. He served as the back-up catcher to Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
, but was primarily considered Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina
Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
's "personal catcher." Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
experimented with using Nieves to help bolster Mussina out of a rough stretch with good results.
Nieves made his first career non-catching appearance in the ninth inning of a game on July 8, 2007, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; he played first base when the Yankees ran low on position players.
Following an impressive 2-for-3 performance against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
on July 21, 2007, Nieves was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Yankees following news that they had acquired José Molina from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Though respected as a good defensive catcher, Nieves hit just .164 for the Yankees.
"It's just business and I really want this team to go all the way to the playoffs and, hopefully, win the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
," Nieves said. "They're a bunch of great guys. I love them, Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
and all those guys. They can improve the backup catcher and they're bringing in Molina. He's a great catcher, too."
Nieves cleared waivers, and reported to the Yankees' Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on July 27, 2007. Nieves was the starting catcher for Scranton. He declared free agency in October 2007. He played for Licey in the Dominican Winter League during the off season.
He started the 2008 season in the Washington Nationals organization with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. On April 25, 2008, Nieves hit his first major-league home run, a walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
to right field, to give the Nationals a 5–3 win over the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Nieves was the backup catcher to starter Jesus Flores
Jesús Flores
Jesús Miguel Flores is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Washington Nationals. He bats and throws right-handed....
in the 2009 season. Nieves has been the backup catcher for Ivan Rodriguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
in 2010.
On December 10, 2010, Nives signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers
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 was traded to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on July 27, 2011, for cash considerations. He was demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett shortly after.