Jimmy Nelson (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Jimmy Nelson

| image = Jimmy Nelson.JPG

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Nelson with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014

| position = Pitcher

| team =

| number =

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|6|5}}

| birth_place = Klamath Falls, Oregon, U.S.

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 6

| debutyear = 2013

| debutteam = Milwaukee Brewers

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=July 30

|finalyear=2021

|finalteam=Los Angeles Dodgers

| statyear =

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 34–48

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.12

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 622

| teams =

Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2017}}, {{mlby|2019}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2021}})

}}

James Jacob Nelson (born June 5, 1989) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Amateur career

Nelson attended Niceville High School in Niceville, Florida. The Cincinnati Reds selected Nelson in the 39th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign with the Reds. He attended the University of Alabama, and played college baseball for the Alabama Crimson Tide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/bamabeat/2010/03/alabama_baseball_stays_hot_as.html|title=Alabama baseball stays hot, as does 'matured' pitcher Jimmy Nelson|first1=Gentry|last1=Estes|first2=Mobile|last2=Press-Register|date=March 21, 2010|website=al}} In 2010, his junior year, he had a 9–3 win–loss record with a 4.01 earned run average (ERA) in 18 games (17 starts).{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20130903/Sports/605154500|title=Milwaukee Brewers call up Jimmy Nelson, a former Alabama star|first=Combined|last=reports|website=Tuscaloosa News}}

Professional career

=Milwaukee Brewers=

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Nelson in the second round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

File:Jimmy Nelson on April 5, 2014.jpg in {{Baseball year|2014}}]]

Nelson started the 2013 season with the Double-A Huntsville Stars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2013/04/ex-alabama_standout_jimmy_nels.html|title=Ex-Alabama standout Jimmy Nelson will be Huntsville Stars' opening day pitcher|date=April 3, 2013|website=al}} He was promoted to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on June 5.{{Cite web|url=https://whnt.com/sports/brewers-send-jimmy-nelson-out-of-huntsville/|title=Brewers Send Jimmy Nelson Out Of Huntsville|date=June 6, 2013}} He was promoted to the majors on September 3, made his debut on September 6, and made his first major league start on September 28.

Prior to the 2014 season, Nelson was rated the Brewers' top prospect and 96th best prospect in baseball by Baseball America. Nelson began 2014 back at Triple-A Nashville, and dominated the Pacific Coast League to the tune of a 10–2 record, 1.46 ERA, and 114 strikeouts. Nelson was even named 2014 PCL Pitcher of the Year.[http://nashvillesportsmix.com/2014/08/jimmy-nelson-named-pcl-pitcher-of-the-year/ Nashvillesportsmix.com] He made one spot start for Milwaukee against the Miami Marlins due to a minor injury suffered by Yovani Gallardo on May 25, and recorded his first major league win, pitching {{frac|5|2|3}} scoreless innings with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.

File:Jimmy Nelson first hit 2014 Brewers.jpg

On July 10, Nelson was recalled again to join the starting rotation in place of the home run-prone Marco Estrada. He got his first career base hit during his July 17 start.{{cite news|last1=Haudricourt|first1=Tom|title=In-game blog: Brewers blanked by Mets, 2-0|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/268794141.html|access-date=July 28, 2014|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=July 28, 2014}} Nelson sustained an injury on September 17 against the St. Louis Cardinals when Tommy Pham hit a line drive that ricocheted off his head. Nelson was able to leave the field in his own ability, and a magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed a contusion.{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/offense-backs-lackey-as-cards-sweep/article_263a16f4-1ff5-50d5-9245-3ee371c41f0b.html |title=Offense backs Lackey as Cards sweep |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 17, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015}} In 2015 he had an ERA of 4.11 and shared the major league lead in hit batsmen, with 13.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/player/_/view/pitching|title=2020 MLB Player Pitching Stats|website=ESPN}}

In 2016 he had an ERA of 4.62 and shared the major league lead in hit batsmen, with 17.

On September 8, 2017, Nelson suffered an apparent shoulder injury while sliding to first base, and left the game. The next day, on September 9, it was revealed that he was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain and a partial anterior labrum tear, meaning that he would take no further part in any action for the remainder of the 2017 season. Nelson finished the 2017 year with a 12–6 record, 199 strikeouts, and a 3.49 ERA.{{cite web|title=Jimmy Nelson to miss rest of season|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brewers-jimmy-nelson-to-miss-rest-of-season-c253386250|publisher=MLB|access-date=September 9, 2017}}

On December 2, 2019, Nelson was non-tendered and became a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2019/12/02/brewers-dont-tender-contracts-shaw-nelson-claudio-and-guerra/4350473002/|title=The Brewers opt not to tender 2020 contracts to Shaw, Nelson, Claudio, Guerra and Saladino|author=Tom Haudricourt|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On January 7, 2020, Nelson signed a one-year, $1.25 million, contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that also included an option for 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/jimmy-nelson-dodgers-deal|title=Dodgers sign RHP Nelson to 1-year deal|work=MLB.com|last=Harrigan|first=Thomas and Adam McCalvy|date=January 7, 2020|access-date=January 7, 2020}} On July 6, it was announced that Nelson would undergo surgery on his lower back and would miss the entire season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/07/jimmy-nelson-to-undergo-back-surgery.html|title=Jimmy Nelson To Undergo Back Surgery|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=July 6, 2020|access-date=July 6, 2020}}

On October 30, 2020, the Dodgers declined their team option on Nelson's contract for the {{mlby|2021}} season, making him a free agent without having thrown a pitch for the organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/dodgers-decline-jimmy-nelsons-option.html|title=Dodgers Decline Jimmy Nelson's Option|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Connor|last=Byrne|date=October 30, 2020|access-date= October 30, 2020}} On December 11, 2020, Nelson re-signed with the Dodgers on a minor league contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2020-12-11/dodgers-sign-brandon-morrow-minor-league-deal-jimmy-nelson|title=Brandon Morrow one of three familiar pitchers the Dodgers sign to minor league deals|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Jorge|last=Castillo|date=December 11, 2020|access-date=January 9, 2021}} On March 25, 2021, Nelson was selected to the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/dodgers-select-jimmy-nelson.html|title = Dodgers Select Jimmy Nelson}} Nelson pitched in 28 games for the Dodgers with a 1–2 record and a 1.86 ERA with 44 strikeouts and only 13 walks but he was unable to remain healthy. He missed 18 games with forearm inflammation and another 14 with a left lumbar strain before he was shut down in early August when it was determined that he would need both Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair in his right arm.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/6/22613881/jimmy-nelson-tommy-john-surgery-flexor-tendon-repair-dodgers-60-day-injured-list-out-for-season|title=Jimmy Nelson will have season-ending elbow surgery|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=August 6, 2021|accessdate=August 6, 2021}}

On March 15, 2022, Nelson signed a one-year contract to return to the Dodgers, which contained a club option for the 2023 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/jimmy-nelson-deal-with-dodgers-for-2022|title=Dodgers re-sign reliever Nelson to 1-year deal |work=mlb.com|date=March 17, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} He remained on the injured list all season and the Dodgers declined his option following the season on November 8.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/dodgers-decline-club-option-on-jimmy-nelson.html|title=Dodgers Decline Club Option On Jimmy Nelson|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Darragh|last=McDonald|date=November 8, 2022|accessdate=November 8, 2022}}

On February 16, 2023, Nelson re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $1.2 million contract plus bonuses.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/02/dodgers-re-sign-jimmy-nelson-to-major-league-deal.html|title=Dodgers To Re-Sign Jimmy Nelson To Major League Deal|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Darragh|last=McDonald|date=February 15, 2023|accessdate=February 16, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2023/2/16/23595306/dodgers-roster-david-peralta-alex-reyes-jimmy-nelson|title=Dodgers finalize contracts for David Peralta, Alex Reyes, and Jimmy Nelson|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=February 16, 2023|accessdate=February 16, 2023}} However, he again remained on the injured list all season.

=Scouting report=

Nelson throws four pitches. He relies primarily on his sinker (95 mph), fourseam fastball (94 mph) and slider (84 mph). He also occasionally throws a change up (88 mph).{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?519076|title=BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: Jimmy Nelson|website=www.brooksbaseball.net}}

Coaching career

On April 15, 2025 it was announced that Nelson would be the pitching coach for the Frederick Keys of the MLB Draft League for their upcoming 2025 season.{{cite web |last1=Baylow |first1=Gus |title=Keys Announce 2025 Coaching Staff |url=https://www.mlbdraftleague.com/frederick/news/keys-announce-2025-coaching-staff?utm_content=330395140&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-50873127337|website=Frederick Keys |publisher=MLB Draft League |access-date=April 15, 2025 |language=en |date=April 15, 2025}}

Personal life

Nelson is a Christian.{{cite web |title=JIMMY NELSON'S CHRISTIAN FAITH |url=https://faithonthefieldshow.com/jimmy-nelsons-christian-faith/ |website=Faith On The Field |access-date=2 February 2024}} Nelson married longtime girlfriend Melissa Conway on December 10, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee.{{cite web|url=https://brewers.mlblogs.com/brewlyweds-nelson-davies-celebrate-offseason-weddings-eb69471cac77|title=Brewlyweds: Nelson, Davies Celebrate Offseason Weddings|work=Cait Covers The Bases|date=9 January 2017|access-date=December 21, 2017}} They have twin daughters.{{cite web |last1=Haudricourt |first1=Tom |title=Jimmy Nelson's rehab assignment with Class AAA San Antonio on hold after premature birth of twins |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2019/04/28/jimmy-nelsons-rehab-outing-put-hold-after-premature-birth-twins/3608738002/ |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=2 February 2024}}