Mike Nickeas
Encyclopedia
Michael James Nickeas (born February 13, 1983 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
) is a Major League Baseball
catcher
for the New York Mets
.
Nickeas was born in Vancouver, while his father played for the Vancouver Whitecaps
of the NASL
. His father, Mark
, is from England, and his mother is American. He grew up in California and graduated from Westlake High School
in Westlake Village, California
.
Nickeas played three years for the Georgia Tech
baseball team
. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers
in the 5th round of the 2004 draft
. He played for the USA youth team, junior national team and the USA National team, becoming only the second player in USA baseball history to play on 3 teams.. In 2007 he switched his allegiance to Great Britain
and played for the team in the 2007 European Baseball Championship
. He was voted to the tournament's all-star team as the British team finished as silver medalists.
Nickeas started his pro career with the Spokane Indians
of the Northwest League
. He batted .288 with 10 HRs
and 55 RBIs for Spokane. In 2005, he played for the Rangers' AA affiliate, Frisco RoughRiders
. He batted for a .202 average with five home runs and 24 runs-batted-in in 68 games, but Baseball America
named Nickeas the best defensive catcher in the Rangers minor league system. On August 30, 2006, he was traded to the New York Mets for outfielder Víctor Díaz
. In 2007 he split time between the "High A" St. Lucie Mets
and Double-A Binghamton Mets
and in 2008, he split time between Binghamton and the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
.
Nickeas earned his first promotion to the major leagues on September 2, 2010. He made his major league debut the same day on Jenrry Mejía
's first major league start on September 4, 2010 as he was the Mets catcher against the Chicago Cubs
at Wrigley Field
. On September 29, he got his first two major league hits against the Milwaukee Brewers
. He hit his first major league home run April 21, 2011, off Houston Astros
pitcher J.A. Happ.
On May 1, 2011 he was sent down to the minors as Ronny Paulino
came up to the Mets.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) is a 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...
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...
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...
.
Nickeas was born in Vancouver, while his father played for the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
of the NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. His father, Mark
Mark Nickeas
Mark Nickeas is a retired English football defender. He spent five seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the Major Indoor Soccer League and two in the Western Soccer Alliance....
, is from England, and his mother is American. He grew up in California and graduated from Westlake High School
Westlake High School (California)
Westlake High School, often known simply as Westlake or Westlake High is a public high school in Westlake Village, California, hosting grades 9–12...
in Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village, California
Westlake Village is a planned community that straddles the Los Angeles and Ventura county line. The eastern portion is the incorporated city Westlake Village, located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, California. The city, located in the region known as the Conejo Valley, encompasses half...
.
Nickeas played three years for the Georgia Tech
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
baseball team
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in NCAA Division I college baseball. Along with most other Georgia Tech athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the 5th round of the 2004 draft
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 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...
. He played for the USA youth team, junior national team and the USA National team, becoming only the second player in USA baseball history to play on 3 teams.. In 2007 he switched his allegiance to Great Britain
Great Britain national baseball team
The Great Britain national baseball team is the national baseball team of Great Britain. It is governed by the British Baseball Federation, which is a member nation of the Confederation of European Baseball.-History:...
and played for the team in the 2007 European Baseball Championship
2007 European Baseball Championship
The 2007 European Baseball Championship was an international baseball tournament held from September 7 to 16, between national baseball teams of the Confederation of European Baseball. The tournament was held in Barcelona, Spain and served as the qualifying competition for the 2008 Summer Olympic...
. He was voted to the tournament's all-star team as the British team finished as silver medalists.
Nickeas started his pro career with the Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
of the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
. He batted .288 with 10 HRs
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...
and 55 RBIs for Spokane. In 2005, he played for the Rangers' AA affiliate, Frisco RoughRiders
Frisco RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are currently the Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball club. The team plays in the Texas League, assigned to the South Division. Prior to 2003, the franchise was based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and were known as the Shreveport Captains...
. He batted for a .202 average with five home runs and 24 runs-batted-in in 68 games, but 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...
named Nickeas the best defensive catcher in the Rangers minor league system. On August 30, 2006, he was traded to the New York Mets for outfielder Víctor Díaz
Víctor Díaz
Víctor Israel Díaz is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent....
. In 2007 he split time between the "High A" 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...
and 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...
and in 2008, he split time between Binghamton and the Triple-A 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....
.
Nickeas earned his first promotion to the major leagues on September 2, 2010. He made his major league debut the same day on Jenrry Mejía
Jenrry Mejía
Jenrry Manuel Mejía is a starting pitcher for the New York Mets. He signed with the Mets as an international free agent on April 4, 2007.-Early life:...
's first major league start on September 4, 2010 as he was the Mets catcher against 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...
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. On September 29, he got his first two major league hits against 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 hit his first major league home run April 21, 2011, off Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
pitcher J.A. Happ.
On May 1, 2011 he was sent down to the minors as Ronny Paulino
Ronny Paulino
Ronny Leonel Paulino is a professional baseball player. He currently plays catcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
came up to the Mets.