Jon Niese

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Jon Niese

| image = Jonathon Niese on August 12, 2016.jpg

| width =

| caption = Niese with the Mets in 2016

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|10|27}}

| birth_place = Lima, Ohio, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 2

| debutyear = 2008

| debutteam = New York Mets

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = August 23

|finalyear = 2016

|finalteam = New York Mets

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 69–68

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.07

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 914

| teams =

New York Mets ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2016}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2016}})

}}

Jonathon Joseph Niese (born October 27, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Early life

Niese was born to Jeffery and Annette Niese in Lima, Ohio, on October 27, 1986, the same day that the Mets won their second World Series. He was brought up in Defiance, Ohio, where he attended Defiance High School. He played soccer all four years of high school and was named Third Team All-State during his junior year.{{cite web|title=Niese Bio|url=http://www.toconnellsports.com/Niese_Bio.html|publisher=Joe O'Connell Sports|access-date=May 1, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221212335/http://toconnellsports.com/Niese_Bio.html|archive-date=February 21, 2015|df=mdy-all}} In 2004 and 2005, he was named the state's baseball Player of the Year, becoming the first athlete to win the award in consecutive seasons. In Little League (and later in high school), Niese was a teammate of Major League pitcher Chad Billingsley. In the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, the Mets chose Niese 209th overall (ninth pick of the seventh round).[http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2005/tracker/search.jsp?sc=round&sp=7 2005 First-Year Player Draft Tracker] MLB.com

Professional career

=Minor leagues=

Niese began his career in the minors in 2005 pitching for the Gulf Coast Mets of the Gulf Coast League, where he pitched in 7 games including 5 starts while earning one win and zero losses.[http://www.nyfuturestars.com/pitchers.php?player=jon_niese Jon Niese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901130416/http://www.nyfuturestars.com/pitchers.php?player=jon_niese |date=September 1, 2008 }} on New York Future Stars In 2006, Niese was moved up to Single-A where he split time between the St. Lucie Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and the Hagerstown Suns. In 2007, he pitched the entire season for the St. Lucie Mets where he went 11–7 with a 4.39 earned run average (ERA).{{Cite web |url=http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=25404 |title=Jonathan Niese Statistics (Minor Leagues)|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831061510/http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=25404 |archive-date=August 31, 2008 |url-status=dead }} In 2008, Niese gained another level beginning the year with the Double-A Binghamton Mets.

Niese was promoted to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs in July 2008. He made his debut for the Zephyrs on July 30, 2008, striking out seven and allowing only one run in seven innings.

=New York Mets=

==2008==

Image:Jon Niese.jpg

Niese made his major league debut on September 2, 2008, against the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Rickie Weeks. It was the first time in Mets history that a pitcher gave up a home run to the first batter he faced in his career. He ended the day giving up five runs in three innings.{{cite news|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080902&content_id=3407133&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905221017/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080902&content_id=3407133&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2008|title=Murphy scores in 10th to give Mets win|last=Noble|first=Marty|date=September 2, 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=September 3, 2008}} In his second start, on September 13, 2008, he earned his first Major League victory pitching eight shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves in a 5–0 victory.{{cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080913&content_id=3467699&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|title=Wright, Reyes power Niese to first win|last=DiComo|first=Anthony|date=September 14, 2008|work=MLB.com|access-date=September 14, 2008}} In his last start of the season he lost to the Chicago Cubs, ending his inaugural season at 1–1 with a 7.07 ERA in 3 starts.

==2009==

On May 6, Niese was called up from Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to replace the injured starting pitcher Oliver Perez.{{cite news|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090506&content_id=4595576&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|title=Perez headed to DL; Niese coming up|last=Noble|first=Marty|date=May 7, 2009|work=MLB.com|access-date=May 9, 2009|archive-date=November 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104003532/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090506&content_id=4595576&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym&fext=.jsp|url-status=dead}} His first start of the season was a success. He pitched 6 innings, giving up two runs, no walks, and struck out 5 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On July 25, Niese replaced the injured Fernando Nieve in the starting rotation pitching seven innings and giving up only one run against the Houston Astros.{{cite web|title=Niese a breath of fresh air for Mets|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2009/index.jsp?gid=2009_07_25_nynmlb_houmlb_1|work=mlb.com|access-date=July 12, 2012}} Then on August 5, Niese was injured trying to reach for a ball at first base against the St. Louis Cardinals. After taking a test pitch, he collapsed on his right leg and was taken out of the game.{{cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-rookie-pitcher-jon-niese-year-hamstring-injury-article-1.395310|title=Mets rookie pitcher Jon Niese out for year with right hamstring injury |last=Botte|first=Peter|date=August 5, 2009|work=New York Daily News|access-date=May 29, 2022}} He suffered a complete tear of the hamstring tendon and had season-ending surgery.{{cite news|url=http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/4643576|title=Successful surgery for Niese |last=McDonough|first=Tim|date=August 7, 2009|publisher=Crescent News|access-date=August 28, 2009}} In 5 major league starts, Niese went 1–1 with a 4.21 ERA in 25.2 innings.

==2010==

The 2010 campaign was Niese's first full season as major league starter. He finished at 9–10, with a 4.20 ERA in 173.2 innings pitched. He was named one of the five starting pitchers on Baseball America{{'}}s 2010 All-Rookie Team.{{cite web|last=Eddy |first=Matt |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/awards/rookie-of-the-year/2010/2610794.html |title= Future Big League Stars Highlight All-Rookie Team |publisher=Baseball America|date= October 19, 2010|access-date=October 21, 2010}} The most memorable game of the season was on June 10, when Niese pitched a complete game one-hit shutout against the San Diego Padres.{{cite web|title=Mets one-up Padres in nightcap|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2010/index.jsp?gid=2010_06_10_sdnmlb_nynmlb_2|work=mlb.com|access-date=July 12, 2012}} The only hit was a Chris Denorfia double in the third inning. After the game Mets' catcher Rod Barajas said (about Niese) "I can't tell you how impressive and how good this guy can be." The one-hitter was only the second time in New York Mets history that a pitcher has pitched to one batter above the minimum. Niese went on to pitch his second complete game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 21, yet it was a 5 inning rain shortened game.{{cite web|title=Mets sing songs of victory in the rain|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2010/index.jsp?gid=2010_08_21_nynmlb_pitmlb_1|work=Major League Baseball|access-date=July 12, 2012}} Niese enjoyed much success nearing the end of August, compiling an 8–5 record with a 3.33 ERA over his first 23 starts. Yet, Niese went 1–5 over his last 7 starts of the season and inflated his ERA to 4.20.

==2011==

File:Jon Niese on August 23, 2011.jpg

Niese ended his second major league season at 11–11, with a 4.40 ERA in 157.1 innings pitched. His season was cut short after injuring his rib cage on August 23. Before his injury, Terry Collins was going to limit him to 180 innings pitched.[http://bigapplemetstalk.com/?p=3237 Jon Niese, Scott Hairston To DL, Season over?] Big Apple Mets Talk {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103040900/http://bigapplemetstalk.com/?p=3237 |date=November 3, 2013 }}, Retrieved March 6, 2012. To begin the season, Niese struggled posting a 1–4 record through April. Yet, Niese improved to 10–8 through July before faltering in August to end at 11–11.

==2012==

File:Jon Niese on August 2, 2016 (cropped).jpg

Before the season began Niese had rhinoplasty performed at the expense of former teammate Carlos Beltrán, who offered to pay for the procedure.{{cite web|title=Carlos Beltran honors nose pledge|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7739970/carlos-beltran-st-louis-cardinals-pays-new-york-mets-pitcher-jon-niese-new-nose|work=ESPN|date=March 26, 2012|access-date=July 12, 2012}} Niese has stated that since the procedure his breathing has improved. Jon Niese and the Mets agreed to a 5-year $25.5 million contract extension on April 4.{{cite news|last1=Brennan|first1=Sean|last2=Botte|first2=Peter|title=NY Mets' Jonathon Niese happy about new contract while Ike Davis just happy to be back on field|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-mets-jonathon-niese-happy-new-contract-ike-davis-happy-back-field-article-1.1057180|access-date=July 25, 2015|work=New York Daily News|date=April 6, 2012}} On June 3, Niese struck-out a career high 10 batters against the St. Louis Cardinals to place the Mets in a three-way tie for 1st place.{{cite web|title=Niese's 10 K's lift Mets into three-way tie|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_06_03_slnmlb_nynmlb_1#gid=2012_06_03_slnmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=nym|work=mlb.com|access-date=July 12, 2012}}

On September 29, Niese completed his final game of the season with seven innings of one-run ball against the Atlanta Braves, finishing with a 13–9 record and 3.40 ERA. It was the first season that he completed without struggles in September.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

==2013==

Niese was named the Mets opening day starter for 2013 due to an injury to Johan Santana. On August 27 he hit a three-run double and allowed only three hits and one walk over nine scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field, becoming one of only 24 pitchers in the National League to pitch a shutout in the 2013 season.{{cite web|title=2013 National League Pitching Leaders|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2013-pitching-leaders.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference|access-date=May 1, 2015}}{{cite web|title=August 27, 2013 Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets Box Score and Play by Play|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN201308270.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=May 1, 2015}} He missed several starts in 2013 due to injuries to his rotator cuff.{{cite web|last1=Iorio|first1=Nicholas|date=August 15, 2014|title=Jon Niese should reconsider having shoulder surgery|url=http://www.amazinavenue.com/2014/8/15/6004953/new-york-mets-jon-niese-shoulder-injury-surgery|website=Amazin' Avenue|publisher=SB Nation|access-date=May 1, 2015}}

==2014==

Niese began the 2014 season on the disabled list due to inflammation in his pitching elbow.{{cite web|last1=DiComo|first1=Anthony|date=February 19, 2015|title=Niese is ready to put his injury history in the past|url=http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/109732296/new-york-mets-starting-pitcher-jon-niese-is-ready-to-put-his-injury-history-in-the-past|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221081230/http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/109732296/new-york-mets-starting-pitcher-jon-niese-is-ready-to-put-his-injury-history-in-the-past|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2015|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=May 1, 2015}} Upon returning from the injury, he performed well in 66 innings pitched but was forced back on the DL again in early July. He finished the season with a 3.40 ERA in 30 starts, rather consistent with his career numbers. In 2014, Niese was the longest-tenured Mets pitcher on the team's roster. Only he and Bobby Parnell remained on the pitching staff from the team's last winning season in 2008.

==2015==

Niese made adjustments to his pitching motion during Spring Training in order to alleviate some of the strain which had led to injuries to his pitching arm in the past.{{cite web|last1=Vorkunov|first1=Mike|date=March 26, 2015|title=Mets pitcher Jon Niese is honing a new delivery|url=https://www.nj.com/mets/2015/03/mets_pitcher_jon_niese_is_honing_a_new_delivery.html|website=NJ.com|publisher=Advance Digital|access-date=May 29, 2022}} In a game on April 24 in the Subway Series at New Yankee Stadium in which Niese was not scheduled to appear, he was ejected from the dugout for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Doug Eddings during a Juan Lagares plate appearance. It was Niese's first career MLB ejection.{{cite web|date=April 24, 2015|title=MLB Ejection 026: Doug Eddings (1; Jon Niese)|url=http://www.closecallsports.com/2015/04/mlb-ejection-026-doug-eddings-1-jon.html|publisher=Close Call Sports & Umpire Ejection Fantasy League|access-date=May 1, 2015}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

File:Jon_Niese_Pirates.jpg

On December 9, 2015, the Mets traded Niese to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Neil Walker.[https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14330283/new-york-mets-trade-lhp-jonathon-niese-pittsburgh-pirates-2b-neil-walker Mets, Pirates complete Neil Walker-for-Jonathon Niese trade] ESPN. December 9 2015 Retrieved May 29, 2022 Niese began the season in the Pirates rotation but after the all star break he was sent to the bullpen. He finished his stint with Pittsburgh with an 8-6 record and a 4.91 ERA in 21 games, 16 starts.

=Return to Mets=

On August 1, 2016, the Pirates traded Niese back to the Mets in exchange for Antonio Bastardo.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wtae.com/sports/pirates-trade-jon-niese-back-to-mets/41001934|title=Pirates send Niese to Mets, add Nova from Yanks|date=August 2016|website=WTAE}} On August 24, Niese picked up only one out in a start at Busch Stadium before exiting with knee pain. The next day, the Mets placed him on the disabled list and announced that he would undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee.{{cite news|title=Mets Pitcher Niese to Have Knee Surgery, Goes on 15-Day DL|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/08/24/sports/baseball/ap-bbn-mets-niese-dl.html|access-date=24 August 2016|work=New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=24 August 2016}} Following the season, the Mets declined their option on Niese's contract, paying him a $500,000 buyout and granting him free agency.{{cite news|last1=Guardado|first1=Maria|title=Mets pick up Jay Bruce, Jose Reyes' 2017 options, decline Jon Niese's|url=https://www.nj.com/mets/2016/11/mets_have_told_jay_bruce_that_theyre_picking_up_hi.html|access-date=May 29, 2022|publisher=NJ.com|date=November 3, 2016}} Niese was the only MLB pitcher to give up two bases-loaded triples in 2016, one for the Pirates and one for the Mets.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/aobwL|title=Team Batting Event Finder: 2016, All teams, Triples, With Runners on 123|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=July 6, 2018}} He became a free agent following the season.

=New York Yankees=

On February 20, 2017, Niese signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-sign-mets-lefty-jon-niese-minor-league-deal-article-1.2976913|title=Yankees sign former Mets lefty Jonathon Niese to minor-league deal|website=New York Daily News|date=February 20, 2017 }} He was released on March 25.{{cite web|url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/220961924/yankees-release-pitcher-jonathon-niese/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326194054/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/220961924/yankees-release-pitcher-jonathon-niese/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 26, 2017|title=Yankees release bullpen candidate Niese|last=Hoch|first=Bryan|work=MLB.com|date=March 26, 2017|access-date=March 26, 2017}} He re-signed on a new minor league contract three days later and then was released a second time on June 7.

=Texas Rangers=

On January 30, 2018, Niese signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/01/rangers-sign-jon-niese-to-minor-league-deal.html|title=Rangers Sign Jon Niese To Minor League Deal|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Connor|last=Byrne|date=January 30, 2018|access-date=January 30, 2018}} He was released on March 16.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lonestarball.com/2018/3/16/17131850/nick-gardewine-optioned-jon-niese-released|title=Nick Gardewine optioned, Jon Niese released|work=Lone Star Ball|access-date=2018-04-26}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On April 1, 2019, Niese was drafted by the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at the 2019 ALPB Player Showcase.{{cite web|url=https://liducks.com/ducks-draft-mlb-veteran-jon-niese-at-player-showcase/|title=Ducks Draft MLB Veteran Jon Niese at Player Showcase|work=Long Island Ducks|date=April 1, 2019|access-date=May 29, 2022}} On April 24, his contract was purchased by the Seattle Mariners and he was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. In 14 games (13 starts) for the Rainiers, he compiled a 4–2 record and 5.12 ERA with 38 strikeouts across {{fraction|70|1|3}} innings pitched. Niese was released by the Mariners organization on July 15.{{Cite web|title=Mariners Release Jon Niese, Tyler Cloyd|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/mariners-release-jon-niese-tyler-cloyd.html|access-date=June 6, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 16, 2019 |language=en}}

Pitching style

Niese throws five pitches:

Four-seam fastball (89–92 mph)
Two-seam fastball (89–91)
Cutter (87–89)
Curveball (73–77)
Changeup (83–86)

Niese uses all five of his pitches against right-handed hitters, but he tends not to use the two-seamer and changeup against lefties, or in 2-strike counts.{{cite web|url=http://www.brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=477003|title=Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Jonathon Niese|publisher=Brooks Baseball|access-date=July 17, 2012}}

Personal life

Jon Niese is married to Leah Eckman. They have two children.{{cite news|last1=Cacciatore|first1=Sal|title=Jon Niese labors through three innings as Mets fall to Dodgers|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/jon-niese-labors-through-three-innings-as-mets-fall-to-dodgers-1.10675436|access-date=July 25, 2015|work=Newsday|date=July 24, 2015}}

On March 26, 2012 Cardinals center fielder and ex-teammate Carlos Beltran paid $10,000 for Niese to get a nose job. Niese's motivation for the nose job originally was cosmetic, but he said he has been breathing better since the elective procedure. Said Niese: "He wanted me to have a new nose. So he offered to pay for it. I was just like, 'All right.' Then it turned into seeing doctors and to getting it fixed."{{cite news|last1=Rubin|first1=Adam|title=Carlos Beltran honors nose pledge|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7739970/carlos-beltran-st-louis-cardinals-pays-new-york-mets-pitcher-jon-niese-new-nose|access-date=September 19, 2019|work=ESPN|date=March 26, 2012}}