Iván Nova
Encyclopedia
Iván Manuel Nova Guance (born January 12, 1987) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the New York Yankees
.
by the New York Yankees
in 2004. At the end of the 2008 season, Nova had not advanced beyond Class-A Advanced, where he pitched for the Tampa Yankees
. In December 2008, Nova was selected by the San Diego Padres
in the Rule 5 draft
. However, he was returned to the Yankees after clearing outright waiver
s at the end of the 2009 spring training, during which he had an 8.31 ERA
, allowing eight earned runs and 13 hits in 8 innings.
Nova advanced to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2009. Following the 2009 season, Nova was added to the 40-man roster, to ensure he was not selected in the Rule 5 draft again.
After recording a 2.43 ERA and 1.27 WHIP
over his first six starts for Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Nova was promoted to the major leagues on May 10, 2010. He pitched three shutout innings in relief before he was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
On August 21, Nova was recalled to the majors, and he made his first career major league start on August 23. He impressed the Yankees in his first start, and was given his second start, replacing the struggling Javier Vázquez
.
Nova was named to the Yankees' Opening Day starting rotation in 2011. On June 20, Nova had his longest start in his career, allowing 1 run in 8 innings against the Cincinnati Reds
, while walking none, allowing 4 hits and striking out 7. Nova was sent down to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre due to the return of Phil Hughes, an 18 game winner in 2010, from the DL. Nova was then called back-up to the majors due to a double-header against the Baltimore Orioles
on July 30th. Nova solidified himself in the Yankee rotation after a 7.2 inning, 6 hit, 1 run, 10 strikeout, 0 walk performance against the Chicago White Sox
.
Nova compiled a 16–4 record in 2011, the most wins for a Yankees rookie since Stan Bahnsen
won 17 games in 1968. Nova was named to the three-man postseason starting rotation at the end of the season. He was named to the Baseball America
All-Rookie Team following the season. Nova finished fourth in balloting for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
(92–97 mph), a 2-seam fastball (89–92 mph), a circle-changeup
(82–85 mph), a slider
/cutter
(83–85 mph), and a 12-6 curveball (76–80 mph). Although he throws all of his pitches with above-average control and command, Nova's best pitch is his sinking, 2-seam fastball; he has used his "sinker" to amass a fantastic career ground-ball-percentage during his professional baseball career, and has propelled himself through the minor leagues and in to prospect status. Although his velocity and breaking-ball cause him to fall short of being considered a "top prospect" by the MLB community, Nova's impressive control and near-ideal frame give him #2 or #3 starter potential in the MLB.
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...
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...
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...
.
Career
Nova was signed as an undrafted free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by 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...
in 2004. At the end of the 2008 season, Nova had not advanced beyond Class-A Advanced, where he pitched for the Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
. In December 2008, Nova was selected by the San Diego Padres
San 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...
in the Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. However, he was returned to the Yankees after clearing outright waiver
Waiver
A waiver is the voluntary relinquishment or surrender of some known right or privilege.While a waiver is often in writing, sometimes a person's actions can act as a waiver. An example of a written waiver is a disclaimer, which becomes a waiver when accepted...
s at the end of the 2009 spring training, during which he had an 8.31 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...
, allowing eight earned runs and 13 hits in 8 innings.
Nova advanced to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2009. Following the 2009 season, Nova was added to the 40-man roster, to ensure he was not selected in the Rule 5 draft again.
After recording a 2.43 ERA and 1.27 WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
over his first six starts for Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Nova was promoted to the major leagues on May 10, 2010. He pitched three shutout innings in relief before he was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
On August 21, Nova was recalled to the majors, and he made his first career major league start on August 23. He impressed the Yankees in his first start, and was given his second start, replacing the struggling Javier Vázquez
Javier Vázquez
Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...
.
Nova was named to the Yankees' Opening Day starting rotation in 2011. On June 20, Nova had his longest start in his career, allowing 1 run in 8 innings against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, while walking none, allowing 4 hits and striking out 7. Nova was sent down to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre due to the return of Phil Hughes, an 18 game winner in 2010, from the DL. Nova was then called back-up to the majors due to a double-header against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on July 30th. Nova solidified himself in the Yankee rotation after a 7.2 inning, 6 hit, 1 run, 10 strikeout, 0 walk performance against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
Nova compiled a 16–4 record in 2011, the most wins for a Yankees rookie since Stan Bahnsen
Stan Bahnsen
Stanley Raymond Bahnsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Nicknamed the "Bahnsen Burner," he once made 118 starts over a three year stretch while playing with the Chicago White Sox in the mid 1970s.-New York Yankees:...
won 17 games in 1968. Nova was named to the three-man postseason starting rotation at the end of the season. He was named to the 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...
All-Rookie Team following the season. Nova finished fourth in balloting for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Scouting report
Nova throws five pitches: a 4-seam fastballFour-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family...
(92–97 mph), a 2-seam fastball (89–92 mph), a circle-changeup
Circle changeup
In baseball, a circle changeup is a pitch thrown with a grip that includes a circle formation, hence the name. The circle is formed by making a circle with the index finger, holding the thumb at the bottom of the ball parallel to the middle finger and holding the ball far out in the hand...
(82–85 mph), a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
/cutter
Cutter
A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...
(83–85 mph), and a 12-6 curveball (76–80 mph). Although he throws all of his pitches with above-average control and command, Nova's best pitch is his sinking, 2-seam fastball; he has used his "sinker" to amass a fantastic career ground-ball-percentage during his professional baseball career, and has propelled himself through the minor leagues and in to prospect status. Although his velocity and breaking-ball cause him to fall short of being considered a "top prospect" by the MLB community, Nova's impressive control and near-ideal frame give him #2 or #3 starter potential in the MLB.