Fernando Nieve has made two tremendous starts against two very good A.L. East teams. First he held the Yankees to, two runs over 6.2 innings and then he followed that up by holding the Rays to one run over six innings. In all with a third relief appearance included, Nieve has an ERA of 1.84 in 14.2 innings and a record of 2-0.Sam Page at Amazin Avenue has a great break down of Nieve's performances so far with the Mets.
The Astros were famous for their Venezuelan pipeline of talent, Baseball America ranked Nieve the Astros' #3 prospect in 2006 and Jim Callis mentioned him during a question and answer post about the pipeline.
Jim Callis: Shouldn't you be paying attention in class? The Astros aren't handing out huge bonuses in Venezuela, but they're still finding talent. Our Top 30 list includes four Venezuelans: RHPs Fernando Nieve and Juan Gutierrez, C Hector Gimenez and SS Wladimir Sutil. Also keep an eye on LHP Enyelbert Soto. Keep in mind, too, that other teams now realize how much talent is in Venezuelan, and the Astros no longer are the only club that operates an academy down there. There's a lot more competition now. source Baseball America
In 2006 when Jon Sickels considered him the Astros # 5 prospect with B+ potential, he saw his most extensive stint in the majors, he started the season in the rotation but that was the year Roger Clemens joined the team mid-season and Nieve was demoted to the pen. In all he pitched in 40 games ( 11 starts ) with a record of 3-3 and a 4.20 ERA. Who knows how being moved back and forth effected his development or psyche.
Looking back at all this one of the more revealing insights was Garner’s decision to demote Nieve to the pen. In all, Nieve’s record as a starter was an unimpressive 2-3, but the fact remains that Buchholz was worse. It is amazing to think that a pitcher as good as Roger Clemens would have been lucky to win the Astros even one extra game. It just goes to show why pitcher won-loss records are rightly vilified in the analytical community. Who knows, but had the Rocket replaced another pitcher such as Buchholz or even his great friend, Andy Pettitte, then the outcome may have been different. Fortunately for the Cardinals that didn’t happen. source THT
After almost making the team out of spring training (2007) , he lost the season in April to T.J. Surgery and the next year failed to make the team due to hamstring weakness in the leg the tendon was removed for the surgery.
Eventually Nieve was called up in 2008 but struggled with his control as he posted an 8.44 ERA in 11 appearances all as a reliever. Usually recovery time is anywhere from a year to a year and a half from T.J. Surgery so wildness should have been expected.
Nieve spent winter ball as a closer converting 7 of 9 save opportunities, expecting to be in the Astros pen. But received a call from the Astos in January that he would be competing with six other starters for the fifth spot in the rotation. Not only was he going to have to stretch his arm back out in spring training, but being out of options it sounds like the Astros were tired of waiting for him to blossom...
"Last year was a lost season for him," Wade said. "We're hoping he sees the opportunity he has here and takes advantage of it." source MLB.com
"That's why [general manager] Ed [Wade] keeps hollering that it's high noon," Cooper said. "It is high noon. He's got a great arm. He usually pitches down in the strike zone really well and he has a good slider when he throws it for strikes. He hasn't been that consistent with it, but we're hoping that's what happens this spring." source MLB.com
As expected of a pitcher in spring training who's adjusting to the rotation after two years of injuries and relief work, Nieve struggle and posted a 11.67 ERA, which resulted in his re-assignment to the minors. Being out of options the Mets claimed and slipped him through waivers and since being recalled he has been excellent. Hopefully, this isn't a tease and the former prospect is finally reaching his potential...
“This year I feel more comfortable,” said Nieve. “This year I have more confidence in my arm.” source NJ.com
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