- Full name Doug Nickle
- Born 10/02/1974 in Sonoma State, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- Debut 09/18/2000
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Phillies have groomed Nickle as a closer for three years since stealing him from the Angels for Gregg Jefferies. Nickle has compiled 51 saves over that period after being converted from the rotation to the bullpen. His veloctiy jumped from 88-89 mph as a starter to 93-94 in relief. He has posted a 2.12 ERA since shifting to the bullpen and limited Triple-A hitters to a .206 average last year. Nickle relies on his above-average fastball and a hard, downward-biting knuckle-curve. He worked on a short, tight slider in instructional league. He has demonstrated a closer's mentality and the stamina to handle multiple-inning appearances. Command in the strike zone is the key for Nickle. He hasn't consistently demonstrated the control and mechanics to handle a closer role in the majors. But Nickle could replace disgruntled Turk Wendell and join Ricky Bottalico in Jose Mesa's setup tandem in Philadelphia. -
When the Angels made Nickle the player to be named in a 1998 trade for the now-retired Gregg Jefferies, most people saw a 23-year-old starting pitcher toiling in Class A. But the Phillies saw something different altogether. An immediate shift to the bullpen and some mechanical tinkering increased Nickle's velocity from the high 80s to the 94-mph range. In his first year in the Philadelphia system, he slammed the door on 28 saves and emerged as a closer prospect on the fast track. He continued to flourish last season, when managers named him the Eastern League's best reliever. He relies primarily on his fastball and a good knuckle-curve, and he also will mix in a slider and change. He has the ideal demeanor of a closer, but he still needs to hone his command and learn to put hitters away. Nickle completely overpowered righthanders in Double-A last year, limiting them to a .164 average, a factor that could help his chances of breaking into the Phillies' veteran relief corps. The additions of free agents Ricky Bottalico, Rheal Cormier and Jose Mesa buy him time and will allow him to be eased into a lesser relief role.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Grooming a closer in the minor leagues is rare, as most big league finishers are former starters. Nickle, the league’s most dominant reliever and a member of the league’s most dominant team, may be the exception. He overmatched EL hitters with his knuckle-curve, and he also has a low-90s fastball. "That knuckle-curve is a tremendous out pitch," Wakamatsu said. "The adjustment I saw from him was that when he didn't throw his knuckle-curve for a strike, he had to throw his fastball and he got hit. Then he started throwing a slider for a strike so he could use that knuckle-curve for an out pitch. And, it's a major league out pitch." Said Varsho: "He has a closer's mentality. He wants the ball late in the game. The greater the pressure, the more he wants to be on the mound. He wants to compete. In the right situation, bringing him along slowly and not throwing him into that closer's role on the major league level, he'll eventually work into being a 30-save guy."
Scouting Reports
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Grooming a closer in the minor leagues is rare, as most big league finishers are former starters. Nickle, the league’s most dominant reliever and a member of the league’s most dominant team, may be the exception. He overmatched EL hitters with his knuckle-curve, and he also has a low-90s fastball. "That knuckle-curve is a tremendous out pitch," Wakamatsu said. "The adjustment I saw from him was that when he didn't throw his knuckle-curve for a strike, he had to throw his fastball and he got hit. Then he started throwing a slider for a strike so he could use that knuckle-curve for an out pitch. And, it's a major league out pitch." Said Varsho: "He has a closer's mentality. He wants the ball late in the game. The greater the pressure, the more he wants to be on the mound. He wants to compete. In the right situation, bringing him along slowly and not throwing him into that closer's role on the major league level, he'll eventually work into being a 30-save guy."