The White Sox have informed Rule 5 pick Adrian Nieto, who was plucked from the Nationals organization, that he will make the Opening Day roster, his agent Joshua Kusnick tweeted. Nieto beat out Josh Phegley (who was optioned on Wednesday) and Hector Gimenez for the right to back up incumbent Tyler Flowers.
The 24-year-old Cuban native has never played above the High-A level. Last year, he put up a .282/.371/.446 line with 11 home runs in 448 plate appearances as a 23-year-old. Checking in as the Nats' 30th overall prospect entering the season (per Baseball America), Nieto is said to be a work-in-progress behind the dish who could become an average defensive backstop. His calling card is his bat, with BA saying that the switch-hitter could become an offense-first MLB catching option.
Of course, Chicago will need to keep Nieto on its 25-man roster for the duration of the season to keep his rights going forward.
Good for him
Sad to hear… as a Nats fan. Hopefully we get him back some time this year.
Doubtful. While I think the Sox will be in spitting distance of .500, they won’t contend, so they can leave him on the roster. They like Nieto. Rizzo is difficult to deal with, so a trade is unlikely.
If Rizzo is so difficult to deal with, how do you explain the trades made with Detriot,Tampa and Oakland? Your comment has no basis, other than to bash Rizzo..
Nieto is a good prospect, but not ML caliber yet. Rizzo is a very active GM and I would bet there is either a trade to keep Nieto on the Sox or that Nieto ends up back on the Nats sometime soon.
I called this right when they picked him, and was pretty much sure of it once josh was sent to AAA. He is young with tons of potential and he pitchers are said to really like throwing to him. Plus a switch hitter is always nice.
Pretty crazy how he has never played above High A.
I think a good story line to watch this season is how he and the Brewers Rule 5 pick fair in the big leagues(The Brewers pitcher has only one season of rookie ball under his belt.)
Another nice move by Rick to build up organizational depth. Sox actually have the luxury of carrying him. If Tyler’s shoulder is healed, they really don’t have much need for Phegley, as Tyler is capable of carrying the bulk of the catching load. If Tyler can’t establish himself, you can always swap Josh in. Either way, Nieto’s value as a Ryan Doumit-style switch hitting bat should keep him on the roster all season. Very little risk with some potential upside.
He wishes he could hit like Ryan Doumit!
Wow can’t believe the rise and fall of Josh Phegley. Let’s face it, the future at the position is not currently in the organization. I’m surprised the white sox did not address this position this offseason but they are re-loading and retooling so there still is time and giving Tyler Flowers another year to prove his worth is not a bad idea.