Kirk Nieuwenhuis

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Kirk Nieuwenhuis

| image = Kirk Nieuwenhuis on March 7, 2014.jpg

| width = 240

| caption = Nieuwenhuis with the New York Mets in 2014

| team =

| number =

| position = Outfielder

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|8|7}}

| birth_place = Santa Monica, California, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 7

| debutyear = 2012

| debutteam = New York Mets

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = July 29

| finalyear = 2017

| finalteam = Milwaukee Brewers

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .221

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 31

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 117

| teams = * New York Mets ({{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2015}})

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ({{mlby|2015}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2015}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2017}})

}}

Kirk Robert Nieuwenhuis, (born August 7, 1987) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Milwaukee Brewers. He currently is the head baseball coach at his alma mater Azusa Pacific University.

Amateur career

Nieuwenhuis attended Denver Christian High School in Lakewood, Colorado where he played football, basketball and baseball. As a football player, Nieuwenhuis was an elusive running back who led Denver Christian to a state championship and received scholarship offers from Colorado, Colorado State and Air Force.{{cite news|last1=Serby|first1=Steve|title=Serby's Sunday Q & A with … Kirk Nieuwenhuis|url=https://nypost.com/2012/05/06/serbys-sunday-q-a-with-kirk-nieuwenhuis/|access-date=July 9, 2015|work=New York Post|date=May 6, 2012}} However, Nieuwenhuis feared that he lacked the size to succeed as a football player at the next level and that he would be converted to a wide receiver and made to redshirt as a freshman. He therefore decided to focus on baseball.{{cite news|last1=McCullough|first1=Andy|title=Mets' Kirk Nieuwenhuis, too small for the gridiron, fits right in at centerfield|url=http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2012/04/mets_kirk_nieuwenhuis_too_smal.html|access-date=July 9, 2015|work=NJ.com|publisher=Advance Digital|date=April 12, 2012}}

As a high school baseball player, Nieuwenhuis was a lightly recruited second baseman and pitcher whose fastball reached 90 miles per hour. Nieuwenhuis played three seasons of baseball at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. There he led the Cougars to back-to-back NAIA World Series appearances in 2007 and 2008 and set school career records in runs scored, with 190, and triples, with 12.{{cite web|title=Mets have valuable building block in Nieuwenhuis|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120629&content_id=34145210&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym|publisher=Mets.com|access-date=July 2, 2012}}

Professional career

=New York Mets=

Nieuwenhuis was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft out of the Azusa Pacific University. In the minors, Nieuwenhuis primarily was a center fielder, and after hitting .298 in Triple-A Buffalo, Nieuwenhuis was added to the Mets 40 man roster on November 18, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/36681/mets-add-7-prospects-to-40-man-roster|title=Mets add 7 prospects to 40-man roster|work=ESPN.com|date=November 18, 2011|access-date=December 23, 2015}} After performing well during his debut with the Mets, Nieuwenhuis garnered the moniker "Captain Kirk" from Mets fans, in reference to the fictional Captain Kirk from the 1960s television series Star Trek.{{Cite web |title=Kirk Nieuwenhuis Player Card {{!}} Baseball Prospectus |url=https://www.baseballprospectus.com/player/58495/kirk-nieuwenhuis/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=www.baseballprospectus.com}}

==2008–2011==

Nieuwenhuis began his professional career with the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York–Penn League, where he played 74 games and hit .277. Nieuwenhuis had 15 doubles, five triples and three home runs among 79 hits in 319 plate appearances. Following his first professional season, Nieuwenhuis continued to play well throughout the Mets' Minor League system. He played at every level, finishing the 2010 campaign at Triple-A Buffalo. In 2011, Nieuwenhuis was shut down with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. It cost him most of the second half of his season.

==2012==

File:Kirk Nieuwenhuis.jpg

Nieuwenhuis was called up by the Mets on April 7, 2012, to replace the injured Andrés Torres.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-mets-put-andres-torres-disabled-list-call-kirk-nieuwenhuis-minors-article-1.1057766|title=Nieuwenhuis in for Mets as Torres limps off|author=SEAN BRENNAN|date=April 6, 2012|work=NY Daily News|access-date=December 23, 2015}} Nieuwenhuis got his first major league hit, an infield single, on the same day he was called up; Nieuwenhuis finished the day 2-4.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_07_atlmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=nym|title=MLB.com Gameday|publisher=|access-date=December 23, 2015}} On April 9, in only his second start and third major league game, Nieuwenhuis hit his first Major League home run against Washington Nationals pitcher Edwin Jackson. On April 27, he hit a walk-off single off of Miami Marlins closer Heath Bell giving the Mets the series sweep against the Marlins.

Though he garnered early National League Rookie of the Year consideration for his .297 average, six home runs and superlative outfield defense through June 15, Nieuwenhuis batted .123 with one home run after that date, striking out in more than 44 percent of his plate appearances.{{cite web|title=Mets' McHugh to make his debut in matinee|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_23_colmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_home&c_id=nym|work=MLB.com|access-date=August 23, 2012|archive-date=September 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903081814/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_23_colmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_home&c_id=nym|url-status=dead}} By July 28, Nieuwenhuis was batting .252 with 7 home runs and 28 RBIs and on July 30, he was optioned to the Mets Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, to make way for Mike Baxter and Jason Bay who were coming off of the disabled list.{{cite web|title=Baxter rejoining Mets on Monday|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120729&content_id=35762230¬ebook_id=35772126&vkey=notebook_nym&c_id=nym|work=MLB.com|access-date=July 30, 2012|archive-date=March 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326163117/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120729&content_id=35762230¬ebook_id=35772126&vkey=notebook_nym&c_id=nym|url-status=dead}} On August 6 while with Buffalo, Nieuwenhuis was diagnosed with a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot, which occurred while running down the first-base line just days after being optioned by the Mets.{{cite web|title=Tim Byrdak has tear in shoulder|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8241535/new-york-mets-tim-byrdak-torn-capsule-shoulder|work=ESPN.com|date=August 7, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2012}} He reported to Port St. Lucie for rehab, then on August 22, he was shut down for the rest of the season to heal his foot.{{cite news|title=McHugh set for big-league debut|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/mchugh_set_for_big_league_debut_ZB2TKtpsjuaWYqutWHPsUJ|publisher=nypost.com|access-date=August 23, 2012|first=Mike|last=Puma|date=August 23, 2012}} Through 91 games and 282 at bats, Niewenhuis was batting .252 with 7 home runs and 28 RBIs, while playing the outfield for the Mets.

==2013–2015==

In late April, Nieuwenhuis was demoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons after hitting 2 for 16 for the Mets in April. However, he was called back up to the Mets to take Rick Ankiel's spot on the roster. Nieuwenhuis had been hitting .232 at Triple-A before his promotion.

On June 10, 2013, Nieuwenhuis was again called up to the Mets playing center field.{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130610/SPORTS/306100020/Former-Foxes-Kirk-Nieuwenhuis-recalled-by-New-York-Mets|title=Former Foxes outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis recalled by the New York Mets|work=The Coloradoan|access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Nieuwenhuis played in 61 games with the Mets in 2014. Over 112 at-bats he hit .259 with an .828 OPS and three home runs.

Nieuwenhuis was designated for assignment on May 19, 2015.{{cite news|title=Mets bring up Ceciliani and cut Nieuwenhuis|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12915701|access-date=May 20, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=May 19, 2015}}

=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=

Nieuwenhuis was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for cash considerations on May 27, 2015.{{cite news|title=Angels acquire outfielder Nieuwenhuis from NY Mets|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/27/angels-acquire-outfielder-kirk-nieuwenhuis-from-mets/|access-date=May 27, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=May 19, 2015}} He was designated for assignment on June 10.{{cite news|last1=Fletcher|first1=Jeff|title=Angels Notes: Kirk Nieuwenhuis designated for assignment|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fla-665733-kirk-nieuwenhuis.html|access-date=June 14, 2015|work=Orange County Register|date=June 10, 2015}}

=Second stint with Mets=

Nieuwenhuis was claimed by the New York Mets 17 days after the Mets traded him to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.{{cite news|last1=DiComo|first1=Anthony|title=Mets bring Nieuwenhuis back with waiver claim|url=http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/130396396/mets-bring-kirk-nieuwenhuis-back-with-waiver-claim|access-date=June 14, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614203446/http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/130396396/mets-bring-kirk-nieuwenhuis-back-with-waiver-claim|url-status=dead}} Nieuwenhuis was sent to the Las Vegas 51s and was later promoted back to the Mets on July 6, 2015.

On July 12, he hit three home runs in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks,{{cite web|last1=Trezza|first1=Joe|title=Nieuwenhuis makes Mets history with 3 HRs|url=http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/136336094/nieuwenhuis-makes-mets-history-with-3-hrs|website=mets.mlb.com|publisher=New York Mets|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713043522/http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/136336094/nieuwenhuis-makes-mets-history-with-3-hrs|url-status=dead}} becoming the first player to accomplish this at Citi Field. He is the tenth player in franchise history to hit three home runs in one game and the first to do so in a Mets' home game. When interviewed after his exceptional game that day, Kirk commented in response to his critics: "there's more to life than baseball".{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=350712121|title=Kirk Nieuwenhuis' first 3 homers of season carry Mets to win|work=ESPN.com|access-date=December 23, 2015}} On July 29, Lucas Duda joined Nieuwenhuis as the second Met to accomplish the feat at home.

On September 8, 2015, Nieuwenhuis hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead home run off Jonathan Papelbon of the Washington Nationals, breaking an eighth inning tie and handing the Mets an 8-7 win, a game in which the Mets had once trailed 7–1. After their third consecutive comeback win the next day, the Mets swept the Nats, moving themselves to 7.0 games ahead in the NL East.

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On December 23, 2015, Nieuwenhuis was claimed by the Milwaukee Brewers off of waivers.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/milwaukee-brewers-kirk-nieuwenhuis-josmil-pinto-mlb-baseball-claimed-off-waivers-122315|title=Brewers claim Nieuwenhuis, Pinto, Wilkins off waivers|author=Fox Sports|work=FOX Sports|date=December 23, 2015|access-date=December 23, 2015}} He was one of nine players competing to be the Brewers center fielder for the 2016 season.{{Cite web|url=http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/165355808/nine-brewers-competing-for-center-field-job|title=Nine Brewers to compete for center-field job|access-date=February 26, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819174136/http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/165355808/nine-brewers-competing-for-center-field-job/|url-status=dead}} On December 3, 2016, Nieuwenhuis and the Brewers agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract for the 2017 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/mets-sign-rene-rivera-avoid-arbitration.html|title=Players Avoiding Arbitration: Friday|last1=Adams|first1=Steve|last2=Todd|first2=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 3, 2016|access-date=December 3, 2016}} He was designated for assignment on April 21, 2017.

=Seattle Mariners=

On November 14, 2017, Nieuwenhuis signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/mariners-sign-kirk-nieuwenhuis-minors.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 11/14/17|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 14, 2017|access-date=November 14, 2017}} He was assigned to AAA Tacoma Rainiers for the 2018 season. Nieuwenhuis was released by the organization on August 2, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/mariners-release-kirk-nieuwenhuis.html|title=Mariners Release Kirk Nieuwenhuis|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 3, 2018|access-date=August 3, 2018}}

=Long Island Ducks=

On March 19, 2019, Nieuwenhuis signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://liducks.com/news/current/?article_id=1938|title=Ducks Sign MLB Outfielder Nieuwenhuis|work=Long Island Ducks|date=March 19, 2019|access-date=March 19, 2019}} In 62 games, he hit .259/.322/.468 with 11 home runs, 41 RBIs and 7 stolen bases.

=Retirement=

On July 12, 2019, Nieuwenhuis retired from professional baseball.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/07/12/former-mets-outfielder-kirk-nieuwenhuis-retires/|title=Former Mets outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis retires|author=Ted Holmlund|work=New York Post|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=July 13, 2019}}

Personal life

Nieuwenhuis and his wife Bethany married in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/new-york-mets-girlfriends-wives-meet-12-women-attached-hottest-2015-baseball-players-2152707|title=New York Mets Girlfriends And Wives: Meet 12 Of The Women Attached To The Hottest 2015 Baseball Players Ahead Of The World Series|work=International Business Times|date=October 26, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2017}}

In 2020, Nieuwenhuis went back to Azusa Pacific University, and has since been the hitting coordinator for the baseball team.{{Cite web|last=Nieuwenhuis|first=Kirk|date=2021|title=Kirk Nieuwenhuis- Hitting Coordinator at Azusa Pacific University|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-nieuwenhuis-3468381b3|access-date=December 2, 2021|website=LinkedIn}} He was named the head coach in December 2021.