Jayson Nix

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Jayson Nix

|image=Jayson Nix on September 6, 2012.jpg

|caption=Nix with the New York Yankees in 2012

|team=Los Angeles Angels

|number=80

|position=Infielder / Coach

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1982|08|26}}

|birth_place=Dallas, Texas, U.S.

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague=MLB

|debutdate= April 1

|debutyear=2008

|debutteam=Colorado Rockies

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=September 30

|finalyear=2014

|finalteam=Kansas City Royals

|statleague=MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.212

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=38

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=130

|teams=

Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2008}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}})
Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2010}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2011}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2013}})
Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2014}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2014}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2014}})

As coach

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

|highlights=

Baseball World Cup MVP (2007)

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}}

}}

Jayson Truitt Edward Nix (born August 26, 1982) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Kansas City Royals. He is the current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Angels.

His older brother, Laynce Nix, has also played in MLB.

Early life

Nix was born in Dallas, Texas, and still makes his offseason home there. He attended Midland High School in Midland, Texas.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080811&content_id=3290370&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=President Bush meets with US team |work=Major League Baseball |access-date=August 11, 2008}}

Professional career

The Colorado Rockies selected Nix as a sandwich pick (44th overall) between the first and second rounds of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft as compensation for not signing their first round pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft (Matt Harrington).

=Colorado Rockies=

Nix began the 2008 season as the Colorado Rockies starting second baseman but over the next month, he saw his playing time diminish. On April 26, 2008, Nix was designated for assignment. He had played in 17 games and batted .111 with no home runs. On April 30 he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A.

File:Jayson Nix on June 5, 2011.jpg in 2011.]]

Nix was batting .300 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI for the Sky Sox in 2008 when his minor league season ended as a result of his being selected for the 2008 USA Olympic Baseball Team.{{cite web |url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/news/olympics.jsp |title=2008 USA Baseball Olympic Team |access-date=August 9, 2008 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519145220/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/news/olympics.jsp |url-status=dead }}

In the team's third game at the Olympics, against Cuba, Nix hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. While leading off the eleventh inning with runners on first and second as per Olympic rules, Nix fouled a ball off his left eye. He left the game for the hospital and missed the rest of the Beijing Games. Team USA lost, 5–4, to the defending champions in eleven innings.{{cite web |url=http://web.usabaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=34966&vkey=recap_usab |title=Team USA falls to Cuba, 5-4, in 11 innings |access-date=August 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817121029/http://web.usabaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=34966&vkey=recap_usab |archive-date=August 17, 2008 |url-status=dead }}

=Chicago White Sox=

On October 28, 2008, Nix signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox.{{cite web |last=Renck |first=Troy E. |title=Former Rox Nix signs with White Sox |url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10837562 |publisher=Denver Post |access-date=March 29, 2014 |date=October 28, 2008}} On May 7, 2009, Nix hit his 1st career home run off of Armando Galarraga. He followed with his second career home run just five days later. On May 26, Nix homered twice against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. On the same day, his brother, Laynce homered against the Houston Astros. On May 30, 2010 Nix hit his first career grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays.

On June 18, 2010, he was designated for assignment to make room for prospect infielder Dayán Viciedo.{{cite web|title=White Sox call up infield prospect Dayan Viciedo |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2010-06-17/white-sox-call-infield-prospect-viciedo |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Sporting News |access-date=March 29, 2014 |date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330004820/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2010-06-17/white-sox-call-infield-prospect-viciedo |archive-date=March 30, 2014 }}

=Cleveland Indians=

On June 24, 2010, Nix was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians, and the team designated Shane Lindsay for assignment to make room for him. Jensen Lewis and Luis Valbuena were sent down to Triple A Columbus.{{cite web |title=Indians claim Nix off outright waivers |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/cle/y2010/m06/d24/c11545048.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110144628/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/cle/y2010/m06/d24/c11545048.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |work=MLB.com |access-date=March 29, 2014 |date=June 24, 2010}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On March 29, 2011, Nix was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for future cash considerations. He made his debut on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins, hitting a home run. On April 22 Nix was slid into by Rays second baseman Sean Rodriguez and left the game with a left leg injury. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list for a left leg contusion on April 23. He returned from the disabled list on May 18, playing against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was designated for assignment on July 2.{{cite web |last=Links |first=Zach |title=Blue Jays Designate Jayson Nix For Assignment |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/blue-jays-designate-jayson-nix-for-assignment.html |work=MLBTradeRumors.com |date=July 2, 2011 |access-date=July 2, 2011}} He became a free agent at season's end.

=New York Yankees=

Nix signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on November 23, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/yankeesblog/yankees_sign_nix_to_minor_league_bwvYyxalc6e5Kt9BaS9jaJ |title=Yankees sign Nix to minor league contract |last=Sherman |first=Joel |date=November 23, 2011 |work=New York Post |access-date=May 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218164420/http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/yankeesblog/yankees_sign_nix_to_minor_league_bwvYyxalc6e5Kt9BaS9jaJ |archive-date=February 18, 2012 }} He also received an invitation to spring training.

Nix was called up on May 3, 2012 by the Yankees. Nix filled in as a backup infielder for the Yankees and started several games at shortstop and third base filling in for Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Nix was the final out of the 2012 American League Championship Series popping up to first baseman Prince Fielder as the Yankees were swept and eliminated by the Detroit Tigers in 4 games.

Nix was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 3, 2013, due to a hamstring strain.{{cite web |title=Yankees Place Jayson Nix On DL, Sign Infielder Luis Cruz |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07/03/yankees-place-jayson-nix-on-dl-sign-infielder-luis-cruz/ |publisher=CBS News New York |access-date=July 3, 2013}} On August 21, Nix was hit by an R. A. Dickey knuckleball and immediately removed from the game with what was later determined to be a broken left hand.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2013/08/21/jayson-nix-injury-broken-hand-new-york-yankees-toronto-blue-jays/2683265/ |title=New York Yankees infielder Jayson Nix breaks hand |publisher=USAToday.com |date=August 21, 2013 |access-date=August 21, 2013}} On August 22, Nix was placed on the 15-day disabled list.{{cite web |title=Yankees Place Infielder Jayson Nix On The 15-Day Disabled List |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/08/22/jayson-nix-breaks-left-hand-after-being-hit-by-r-a-dickey-pitch/ |publisher=CBS New York |date=August 22, 2013}} On September 1, 2013 he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.{{cite web |title=Adams returns to Yanks, catcher Murphy also up |url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130901&content_id=59205926¬ebook_id=59205558&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy |work=MLB.com |date=September 1, 2013 |access-date=September 2, 2013 |archive-date=January 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113221205/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130901&content_id=59205926¬ebook_id=59205558&vkey=notebook_nyy&c_id=nyy |url-status=dead }} After the season, Nix was non-tendered by the Yankees, making him a free agent.[https://twitter.com/AnthonyMcCarron/status/407646513007837184 Twitter / AnthonyMcCarron: The Yankees will non-tender Jayson Nix, Matt Daley and David Adams, Brian Cashman said.]

=Philadelphia Phillies=

On January 9, 2014, Nix signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.{{cite web |last=Gleeman |first=Aaron |title=Rays sign Jayson Nix |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/09/rays-sign-jayson-nix/ |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=March 28, 2014 |date=January 9, 2014}} He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations on March 28, 2014.{{cite web |title=Phillies trade for INF Nix |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=10692515 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |access-date=March 28, 2014 |date=March 28, 2014}} He was outrighted to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on May 12,{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/05/12/phillies-jayson-nix-outrighted-to-lehigh-valley-freddy-galvis-injured/ |title=Phillies Jayson Nix Outrighted To Lehigh Valley, Freddy Galvis Injured |date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |work=CBS Philly}} but refused the assignment on May 13 and became a free agent.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/05/phillies-outright-jayson-nix.html |title=Jayson Nix Outrighted By Phillies, Elects Free Agency |last=Adams |first=Steve |work=mlbtraderumors.com |date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On May 16, 2014, Nix signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was to report to the Triple-A Durham Bulls, and would be able to opt out of the contract if not on the major league roster by July 15.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2014/5/16/5724892/rays-sign-jayson-nix-to-minor-league-deal |title=Rays sign Jayson Nix to minor league deal |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |date=May 16, 2014 |access-date=May 17, 2014}} Nix was released on August 1, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=917943-rays-jayson-nix-released |title=Rays: Jayson Nix released |work=KFFL.com |date=August 1, 2014 |access-date=August 1, 2014}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On August 3, 2014, Nix was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{cite web |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/03/pirates-sign-jayson-nix-to-a-one-year-deal/ |title=Pirates sign Jayson Nix to a one-year deal |date=August 3, 2014 |access-date=August 3, 2014 |first=Bill |last=Baer}} Nix was designated for assignment by the Pirates on August 25, 2014.{{cite news |title=Pirates demote struggling rookie OF Polanco |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11408166 |access-date=August 25, 2014 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=August 25, 2014}}

=Kansas City Royals=

On August 28, Nix was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.{{cite web |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article1319044.html |title=Royals claim utility infielder Jayson Nix, activate Scott Downs from disabled list |last=McCullough |first=Andy |work=kansascity.com |date=August 28, 2014 |access-date=August 28, 2014}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On February 17, 2015, Nix signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/02/orioles-jayson-nix-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html|title = Orioles, Jayson Nix Agree to Minor League Deal| date=February 17, 2015 }}

=Return to Philadelphia Phillies=

On May 16, 2015, Nix was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.{{cite web |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/16/phillies-acquire-jayson-nix-from-orioles/ |title=Phillies acquire Jayson Nix from Orioles |first=D.J. |last=Short |date=May 16, 2015 |access-date=May 16, 2015}} He was released on June 23.

International career

Nix played on the United States national baseball team at the IBAF 2007 Baseball World Cup. He hit .387 over the course of the tournament, with nine runs scored, six RBI, two home runs, 13 putouts, 26 assists, and one error. Nix was also named to the tournament all-star team at second base, along with teammate Colby Rasmus (outfield).{{cite web|url=http://www.mister-baseball.com/baseball-world-cup-allstar-team |title=Baseball World Cup: Allstar Team |access-date=29 July 2009 |date=19 November 2007 |publisher=Mister-Baseball.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529135827/http://www.mister-baseball.com/baseball-world-cup-allstar-team/ |archive-date=29 May 2008 |url-status=live }} He won the USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year Award in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://web1.baseballamerica.com/draft/reese-mcguire-wins-usa-baseball-player-of-the-year-award/ |title=Reese McGuire Wins USA Baseball Player of the Year Award |work=Baseball America |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704222846/http://web1.baseballamerica.com/draft/reese-mcguire-wins-usa-baseball-player-of-the-year-award/ |archive-date=July 4, 2015 }}{{cite web |url=http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20141218&content_id=104408434 |title=USA Baseball names year-end award winners |work=usabaseball.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705061111/http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?ymd=20141218&content_id=104408434 |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}

Post-playing career

On February 25, 2022, the Los Angeles Angels promoted Nix to minor league assistant field coordinator after serving as a coach for the ACL Angels in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-player-development-staff-2022 |title = Angels add Hillman, Carpenter to Minors staff |work=mlb.com |date=February 25, 2022}} In January 2024, Nix joined the Angels' coaching staff as an assistant coach.