Jon Niese

Jonathon Niese
New York Mets – No. 49
Starting pitcher
Born: (1986-10-27) October 27, 1986 Lima, Ohio
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 2, 2008 for the New York Mets
Career statistics (through 2013 season)
Win-loss record	43–40
Earned run average	3.99
Strikeouts	575
Teams
New York Mets (2008–present)

Jonathon Joseph Niese (born October 27, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.

Biography

Niese was born to Jeffery and Annette Niese in Lima, Ohio on October 27, 1986, the same day that the Mets won their second 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).^[1]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Niese began his career in the minors in 2005 pitching for the Gulf Coast Mets of the Gulf Coast League, where he pitched in 7 games including 5 starts while earning one win and zero losses.^[2] In 2006, 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 2007, he pitched the entire season for the St. Lucie Mets where he went 11–7 with a 4.39 ERA^[3] In 2008, 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.

Mets

2008

Niese signing autographs in the Mets spring training facility

Niese made his major league debut on September 2, 2008, 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.^[4] In his second start, on September 13, 2008, he earned his first Major League victory pitching eight shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves in a 5–0 victory.^[5] In his last start of the season he lost to the Chicago Cubs, ending his inaugural season at 1-1 with a 7.07 ERA in 3 starts.

2009

On May 6, Niese was called up from Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to replace the injured starting pitcher Oliver Perez.^[6] 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, Niese replaced the injured Fernando Nieve in the starting rotation pitching seven innings and giving up only one run against the Houston Astros.^[7] Then on August 5, Niese was injured trying to reach for a ball at first base against the St. Louis Cardinals. After taking a test pitch, he collapsed on his right leg and was taken out of the game.^[8] He suffered a complete tear of the hamstring tendon and had season-ending surgery.^[9] In 5 major league starts, Niese went 1-1 with a 4.21 ERA in 25.2 innings.

2010

The 2010 campaign was Niese's first full season as major league starter. He finished at 9-10, with a 4.20 ERA in 173.2 innings pitched. He was named one of the five starting pitchers on Baseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team.^[10] The most memorable game of the season was on June 10, when Niese pitched a complete game one-hit shutout against the San Diego Padres.^[11] 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." The one-hitter was only the second time in New York Mets history that a pitcher has pitched to one batter above the minimum. Niese went on to pitch his second complete game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 21, yet it was a 5 inning rain shortened game.^[12] Niese enjoyed much success nearing the end of August, compiling a 8-5 record with a 3.33 ERA over his first 23 starts. Yet, Niese went 1-5 over his last 7 starts of the season and inflated his ERA to 4.20.

2011

Niese ended his second major league season at 11-11, with a 4.40 ERA in 157.1 innings pitched. He season was cut short after injuring his rib cage on August 23. Before his injury, Terry Collins was going to limit him to 180 innings pitched.^[13] To begin the season, Niese struggled posting a 1-4 record through April. Yet, Niese improved to 10-8 through July before faltering in August to end at 11-11.

2012

Before the season began Niese had rhinoplasty performed at the expense of former teammate Carlos Beltran, who offered to pay for the procedure.^[14] Niese has stated that since the procedure his breathing has improved.^[14] Jon Niese and the Mets agreed to a 5 year $25.5 million contract extension on April 4.^[15] On June 3rd, Niese struck-out a career high 10 batters against the St. Louis Cardinals to place the Mets in a three-way tie for 1st place.^[16]

On September 29, Niese completed his final game of the season with seven innings of one-run ball against the Atlanta Braves, finishing with a 13-9 record and 3.40 ERA. It was the first season that he completed without struggles in September.

2013

Niese was named the Mets opening day starter for 2013 due to an injury to Johan Santana.

Pitching style

Niese throws five pitches:

• Four-seam fastball (89–92 mph)
• Two-seam fastball (89–91)
• Cutter (87–89)
• Curveball (73–77)
• Changeup (83–86)

Niese uses all five of his pitches against right-handed hitters, but he tends not to use the two-seamer and changeup against lefties, or in 2-srike counts.^[17]

Personal life

Jon Niese and his wife Leah Eckman were married on January 12, 2013 in Toledo, Ohio.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)