- Full name Michael Nixon
- Born
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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It took a $950,000 bonus to sign Nixon away from a football commitment at UCLA, where he was slated to play safety. Notre Dame and Arizona State also recruited him as a quarterback. Named Arizona's 2001 prep football player of the year, he still holds the state 4-A passing record with 8,091 career yards. Nixon also was a menace on defense, recording over 100 tackles as a senior, and he led Sunnyslope High to a state title in basketball. Considering he used to play baseball just three months out of the year, Nixon has made a relatively smooth transition to wood bats and pro pitching. He has established himself as a line-drive hitter with a good idea at the plate. His short, quick stroke and bat control aid him with two strikes. He'll need to make more quality contact to generate more power, and he occasionally cuts himself off at the plate. He also could stand to draw more walks. Nixon has plenty of work to do behind the plate, too. While he shows solid fundamentals in receiving and pitchers like the way he calls a game, Nixon proved to be easy prey for South Atlantic League basestealers in 2003. He threw out just 12 percent and allowed a league-high 163 thefts. His raw arm strength is solid average, but because of inconsistent throwing mechanics his release point varies and his pop times are slow. Not everyone in the organization is convinced he'll make enough improvement defensively, but his bat should be able to carry him as a third baseman or left fielder. The Dodgers love his makeup and work ethic. With Russell Martin's emergence, a promotion to high Class A isn't a lock for Nixon. Given his inexperience, a return to low Class A shouldn't be viewed as a setback. -
Questions over Nixon's signability kept him out of the top two rounds. One of the top athletes in the draft, he was recruited as a quarterback by Arizona State and Notre Dame after setting the Arizona high school record for career passing yards, and he committed to UCLA as a safety. Arizona's 2001 prep football player of the year kicked and punted as well, and he led Sunnyslope to a basketball championship. Nixon left his multisport aspirations behind when he signed a baseball-only contract worth $950,000, the third-highest bonus outside 2002's first round. His obvious athleticism aside, the Dodgers were enamored with Nixon's leadership and believe he'll translate it into superior game-calling skills. He still has a lot of room for improvement behind the plate. His feet don't work in sync with his upper body yet, which often causes his arm slot to drop, and he throws sliders down to second. He nabbed just eight of 74 basestealers (11 percent) in his first pro summer. Nixon has the agility to shift his weight and block pitches in the dirt. Despite his background as a quarterback, his arm is fringe average. At the plate, he hits line drives with a short, compact swing. He does a good job of staying inside the ball. Like most young players, he still needs to learn the strike zone. Not all scouts believe Nixon will be able to remain behind the plate, but he can handle the outfield, the position he played in high school. He'll make his full-season debut in low Class A this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Nixon is a raw, but projectable athlete who has more familiarity with the football field than he does catching. He had college scholarship offers as a quarterback and was set to play safety for UCLA. The Dodgers liked his athletic ability and strength, so they took him in the third round, signed him for $950,000 and put him behind the plate. He's still learning the trade, and there were mixed reviews of his receiving skills. Nixon's arm is average, but his throws tend to sail as he reverts to his quarterback form and doesn't get on top of the ball. "He'll learn and get better playing everyday," Bilardello said. "It's like a little kid with a new toy. He's not perfect now, but he'll keep playing with it, figure it out and then will work well." Given his athletic gifts, a move to the outfield wouldn't be out of the question if he never gets a feel for catching. For now, Nixon is a better hitter than catcher. He projects to hit for average and use his size and strength to add pop.
