Skip to main content

Prospect Nation 2014: #21 RHP Mike Nesseth

Mike Nesseth, Image- Jay Floyd
During the 2013 season, righty reliever Mike Nesseth proved himself to be a mover within the Phillies' developmental ranks.  After a rough start to his season with Class A Advanced Clearwater, Nesseth was promoted to Double-A Reading where he was dominant and earned himself another promotion before season's end.  With the progress he's shown,
the Minnesota native is a prospect to know in the Phils system as the new season approaches.

Nesseth was the Phillies' 17th round selection in 2010 while already recovering from Tommy John surgery. Undergoing the procedure approximately six weeks before the amateur draft, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate's spot fell quite a bit from where he would have been taken if he was healthy.

It was late June 2011 before Nesseth made his official pro debut.  As a member of the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters, the youngster sported a 3-6 record with a 3.21 ERA in 14 starts.  He also held righty batters to a .191 batting average.

The following year, after a difficult stretch to open the season, Nesseth was moved to the bullpen, where he has stayed and feels most comfortable.

In 18 games (four starts) with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws in 2012, Nesseth posted a 5-1 record along with three saves, a 3.06 ERA and a .192 batting average against.  In late June, he was promoted to Class A Advanced Clearwater, where he sported a 2-2 record with eight saves, a 2.76 ERA and a .238 batting average against in 21 appearances.

Last year, Nesseth kicked off the season back with Clearwater, where he struggled at times, but a need at the Double-A level resulted in a promotion that couldn't have gone much better.  With Reading, Nesseth notched a 1-4 record with nine saves and a 1.64 ERA in 35 games out of the 'pen.

Much like a September call up to the big leagues to end the season for certain minor leaguers, Nesseth got a taste of the Triple-A International League before the 2013 regular season was through.  With the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Nesseth allowed just a lone unearned run in seven innings of work late in the season, as the Phillies wanted a glimpse of what he was capable of at that level.

Following his remarkable 2013 campaign, the Phillies assigned Nesseth to Peoria of the highly competitive Arizona Fall League. His time there wasn't successful, as his 0-2 record, 9.20 ERA and .344 batting average against in nine games were alarming.  Nesseth's trouble as a member of the Peoria staff was a result of getting behind batters in the count. 

In an October interview with me, while he was playing in the AFL, Nesseth described the opposition he was facing in that league as an unbelievable level of competition.  It's possible that fatigue was a factor for Nesseth, who pitched a month and a half longer in 2013 than he had ever done before. 

Nesseth, who tends to be a slow starter during the regular season (5.71 ERA in April 2013 with Clearwater, 6.50 ERA in April 2012 with Lakewood), could possibly benefit from the additional action last year, as it may not take as long to knock off any proverbial rust this year.  In his two full minor league seasons, Nesseth's ERA after April is tremendously improved (1.41 ERA from May 1st till the end of the season in 2013, 1.85 ERA from May 1st till the end of the season in 2012).

After signing with the Phillies, Nesseth's arm angle was changed to a more over-the-top delivery, by coaches, as the organization was focusing on his recovery from surgery and long term health.  Over time, though, the 25-year-old found his more natural, lower arm slot and has seen a nice spike in velocity that wasn't there when he pitched at the Class A level.

The six-foot-five 210-pounder sports a pitch repertoire that includes a fastball, which regularly reaches the 94-95 MPH range, a strong slider and an very good change up.

Averaging a 4.97 K/9 mark in the minors, Nesseth is bit more of a contact pitcher than other guys that might be suitable for late-inning relief.  Additionally, his control was much improved last year as his 2.63 BB/9 ratio was far more appealing than the 4.24 BB/9 ratio from the prior year.

Expect Nesseth to begin the 2014 season with Lehigh Valley, where he'll take on back-end-of-the-bullpen responsibilities as either a set up man or possibly the team's closer.  If Nesseth can prove himself to be a consistent contributor for the IronPigs, it's quite possible fans could see him in a Phillies uniform this year, as inevitable needs arise throughout the season.


To view the running list of this year's countdown, click HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes