| Mike Nickeas | |
|---|---|
 Nickeas with theNew York Mets in 2010 | |
| Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: (1983-02-13)February 13, 1983 (age 42) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 4, 2010, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 10, 2013, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .180 |
| Home runs | 2 |
| Runs batted in | 19 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Medals | |
Michael James Nickeas (born February 13, 1983) is a former professionalbaseballcatcher. Nickeas played four seasons inMajor League Baseball (MLB) with theNew York Mets andToronto Blue Jays. Nickeas also representedGreat Britain internationally.
Nickeas was born inVancouver, British Columbia while his father played for theVancouver Whitecaps of theNASL. His father,Mark, is from England, and his mother is American. He grew up in California and graduated fromWestlake High School inWestlake Village, California. Nickeas led his high school team to the Mamonte League Championship in 2000 and 2001 and was the MVP his senior year of high school in 2001.[1]
Nickeas played three years for theGeorgia Techbaseball team. In 2002, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theWareham Gatemen of theCape Cod Baseball League.[2][3] He was drafted by theTexas Rangers in the 5th round of the2004 draft. He played for the USA youth team, junior national team and the USA National team, becoming only the second player in USA baseball history to play on 3 teams.[4] In 2007, he switched his allegiance toGreat Britain and played for the team in the2007 European Baseball Championship. He was voted to the tournament's all-star team as the British team finished as silver medalists.
Nickeas started his pro career with theSpokane Indians of theNorthwest League. He batted .288 with 10HRs and 55RBIs for Spokane. In 2005, he played for the Rangers'Double-A affiliate,Frisco RoughRiders. He batted for a .202 average with five home runs and 24 runs-batted-in in 68 games, butBaseball America named Nickeas the best defensive catcher in the Rangers minor league system.
On August 30, 2006, he was traded to the New York Mets for outfielderVíctor Díaz. In 2007, he split time between the "High A"St. Lucie Mets and Double-ABinghamton Mets and in 2008, he split time between Binghamton and the Triple-ANew Orleans Zephyrs.
Nickeas earned his first promotion to the major leagues on September 2, 2010.[5] He made his major league debut the same day onJenrry Mejía's first major league start on September 4, 2010 as he was the Mets catcher against theChicago Cubs atWrigley Field. On September 29, he got his first two major league hits against theMilwaukee Brewers. He hit his first major league home run April 21, 2011, offHouston Astros pitcherJ. A. Happ.
On May 1, 2011 he was sent down to the minors asRonny Paulino came up to the Mets.
For the beginning of the 2012 Mets season, Nickeas played as a backup catcher forJosh Thole. On May 26, 2012, Nickeas hit a grand slam atCiti Field, scoringIke Davis,Vinny Rottino, andKirk Nieuwenhuis. On July 25, Nickeas was once again sent down to the minors asRob Johnson came up to the Mets. He was recalled on September 1 due to rosters expanding.
On November 9, Nickeas signed a minor league deal with the Mets with an invitation to spring training. He had elected free agency after being outrighted off the 40-man roster.[6]
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On December 17, 2012, the Mets traded Nickeas,R. A. Dickey, andJosh Thole to theToronto Blue Jays forTravis d'Arnaud,Noah Syndergaard,John Buck, and Wuilmer Becerra.[7] He was assigned to theBuffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, for whom Nickeas had previously played, when it had been the Mets' Triple-A affiliate.[8] On August 8, 2013, it was reported that Nickeas has been hit with a pitch, resulting in a non-displaced hairline fracture on his forearm.[9] Up to his injury, Nickeas had played 49 games for the Bisons, and batted just .166 with 1 home run and 11 RBI. His contract was selected by the Blue Jays on September 3 after the Bisons season ended, and the major league rosters expanded.[10] Nickeas made only one appearance with the Blue Jays in 2013, coming in as a defensive replacement against theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim on September 10. He did not make a plate appearance, and was outrighted to Buffalo on October 4.
Nickeas was invited to 2014 spring training, and sent to minor league camp on March 24, 2014.[11] He spent the entire 2014 season with the Buffalo Bisons, batting .207 in 49 games.[12] On March 9, 2015, it was reported that Nickeas had retired from baseball and gone back to school at Georgia Tech.[13]
Nickeas was selected to theGreat Britain national baseball team for the2007 European Baseball Championship, winning a silver medal.[14]
Nickeas returned to Georgia Tech to complete hisbachelor's degree in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, he served as a volunteer coach and in 2017 was promoted to assistant coach.[15]
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