Nick Neidert’s MLB debut the Marlins’ ‘brightest spot’ in lopsided loss to Phillies
Nick Neidert has no problem admitting he was that kid in elementary school.
You know, the one who said he was going to be a Major League Baseball player when he grew up. It had been Neidert’s dream since he was 5 years old and he had no intentions of wavering.
“The other kids would hate me for it,” Neidert said.
Eighteen years later, in an empty Citizens Bank Park, Neidert’s dream became reality when he trotted out from the bullpen in right-center field and took the mound for the Miami Marlins in the fourth inning for their second game of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies.
He didn’t disappoint either.
Neidert threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his MLB debut, giving up just one hit and one walk before the rest of the bullpen gave up six runs — all off three home runs — as the Marlins fell 7-1.
“Whenever you can go 2 1/3 without giving up any runs, that’s amazing,” said Neidert, the Marlins’ No. 10 overall prospect according to MLBPipeline who they obtained as part of the Dee Gordon trade in December 2017. “You give your team a chance to win. That’s what it’s all about.”
Not even the unusual circumstances surrounding this season — the 60-game schedule, the ballparks devoid of fans, his family not being able to see his debut live, pitching out of the bullpen instead of as a starter like he has his whole career — could take away from this moment.
The adrenaline was flowing. Neidert said he probably could have gone to the mound after throwing two warmup pitches. He ultimately threw about 15 before replacing Caleb Smith, being handed a ball by catcher Chad Wallach and finally accomplishing his dream.
“I wouldn’t say I was nervous,” Neidert said, “but I was definitely amped up.”
It took three pitches to record his first out, a sharp groundball from Scott Kingery to shortstop Miguel Rojas.
Neidert was focused now.
“OK,” he told himself. “I got my first out. I’m here. I’m pitching. Let’s go to work. Now that it’s out of the way, let’s settle in and take care of business.”
Phil Gosselin followed with a single to center before Neidert ended his first inning with a pair of ground balls that resulted in fielder’s choices.
The fifth inning: Rhys Hoskins groundout, Bryce Harper walk and J.T. Realmuto grounding into an inning-ending double play (with Rojas having to jump into the air after stepping on second base to complete the turn).
“I think our brightest spot today was Nick,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “He did a nice job in the middle there to get us to the back of the game.”
Neidert, who throws five pitches (two-seam fastball, four-seam fastball, curveball, changeup and slider), said even with the success, he didn’t feel fully settled in until he faced Jean Segura to start the sixth. Segura grounded out to third baseman Brian Anderson.
But the outing ended there, with Mattingly turning to Alex Vesia. Neidert threw 30 pitches, 14 of which were strikes.
“I would have gone as long as they’d let me go,” Neidert said. “All spring training, I kind of worked up to five innings, so I’m sure I could have gone three, four, five innings. They know that, but I’m out there to make pitches. However long they want to keep me out there, I’m good with it.”
Neidert’s good with his new role, too, even though he’s still adjusting to his new routine. He’s talked with some of the Marlins’ starters-turned relievers such as Adam Conley and Jeff Brigham as well as veteran Brandon Kintzler to get a better idea of how to get ready to pitch in a shorter period of time.
“Obviously a very different role,” Neidert said. “As a starter, you have a lot of time to warm up and prepare, but this way it’s like ‘Hey, gotta get going.’ So, trying to create something there and figure that out. I know it’s gonna be a hurdle but I know there’s a lot of guys going to be helpful.”
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