New Kid On the Block: Brett Nicholas
Brett Nicholas, 29, is a seasoned veteran. A member of the Texas Rangers organization for eight full seasons, Nicholas was traded for the first time in his career to the Padres on April 6.
Brett Nicholas, 29, is a seasoned veteran. A member of the Texas Rangers organization for eight full seasons, Nicholas was traded for the first time in his career to the Padres on April 6.
"It's tough, it's the business side of the game that fans don't necessarily get to see," Nicholas said about the trade. "You give everything to one organization. I was there for eight years and it was the only organization I knew at the time. Because of all the friendships and comradery that you have with the players, coaching staff and front office, it was a tough moment."
Nicholas grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, playing little league and going to the Peoria Sports Complex during spring training to cheer on his favorite team, the Seattle Mariners. Filled with superstars such as a young Alex Rodriguez, Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez, and with a big part of his family from the Seattle area, the late 90s Mariners were easy for Nicholas to root for, with one specific player always catching Nicholas' eye.
"It was Ken Griffey Jr. He always had the backwards hat and big smile on his face," Nicholas smiles, as he reminisces on his idol. "He always looked like he really enjoyed everything about the game and the grind of it, which is something I'm figuring out now. My dog's name is Griffey, I still have a life size cutout in my house. I just really liked the way he played the game and I try to have as much fun as him."
A three-sport athlete in high school, Nicholas settled on baseball as the sport he wanted to pursue. He originally committed to Gonzaga, but transferred to Scottsdale Community College after one season, before finishing his college career at the University of Missouri. Nicholas said that going to Junior College was the best decision he could have made.
"Moving colleges helped me in the professional side of things mentally, because I bounced from school to school. Unfortunately at the time, you couldn't transfer schools without sitting out a year, so I went back home, went to junior college and I think that move made me mentally stronger. I learned so much about baseball that year and I was able to take that into the rest of my career."
That career began in 2010 when the Texas Rangers selected Nicholas in the sixth round of the June First-Year Player Draft. Nicholas, who primarily plays catcher and first base, proceeded to spend parts of seven seasons in the Rangers organization as a minor leaguer with no big league promotion. While some people might be quick to give up, Nicholas credits his wife with helping him stick with his passion.
"As far as support goes and the mental side of the game, it's all her. We've been together since sophomore year of high school and she's seen the ups and downs of those 13 or 14 years together. Nobody knows me better than her and nobody can push me and keep me going better than she does. It's a special relationship and I hope I give her half back what she gives me. I started two years in extended spring and didn't make a roster and obviously you have some doubts. But we kept taking it year by year and we've made some great memories."
One of those memories came on April 11, 2016, when Nicholas made his major league debut for the Rangers. When he got the call in the early morning hours of April 10, Nicholas was with Triple-A Round Rock in Des Moines, Iowa. He learned he would be getting on a flight to join the Rangers in Anaheim. He didn't play that day, but he made his debut the next day against the team he grew up rooting for, the Seattle Mariners.
Nicholas batted ninth in his MLB debut at Safeco Field, going 2-for-4 in front of many family members and friends. There was one family member who was in attendance who made the moment even more special for Nicholas.
"Thankfully my grandfather was there and that's a special moment that no one can take away from me. It made it even better the long time it took and the grind that led up to that."
"He's a special person," Nicholas said about his grandfather. "He was 92 at the time and played for the military. He taught me what it's like to enjoy the game like Ken Griffey. We'd spend 2-3 months up there every summer and live there. It was kind of a surreal moment, but when Safeco was first built in Seattle, we went to a game with my parents and I got back to my grandfather's house and I told him 'one day I'm going to leave you tickets out there to come watch me play'. It was just a perfect storm and I'd go through it all over again just for that one night."
Nicholas spent parts of two more seasons shuttling between Triple-A and the majors with the Rangers, before this April's trade to the Padres. After completing the first month with a new organization, Nicholas thinks his acclimation to his new surroundings have been successful. The left-handed hitter enters play on May 12 hitting .302, with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs.
On April 23, Nicholas added another accolade, as he was named the PCL's Player of the Week becoming the first 2018 Chihuahuas player to earn a weekly award.
"That was a great feeling," Nicholas remarked about the Player of the Week award. "When Texas traded me, it's kind of a feeling of not being wanted. It's a nice feeling just quietly showing them 'hey this is what you're missing out on'. At the same time, it's great to show San Diego and El Paso that this is what I have to bring to the table and you're getting a great player in Brett Nicholas."
While continued strong play might bring Nicholas to San Diego at some point this season, he says that is in the back of his mind as he focuses on being a leader for the 2018 Chihuahuas.
"Watching these guys work, from (Luis) Urias at 20 years old to Allen Craig at 33, the work they put in is amazing. Ultimately, it doesn't have to be 'arm around the young guys' and teach them like the coaching staff. It's more about showing them this is how you show up every day, this is the work you put in. This is the attitude on good nights and this is the attitude on bad nights, because you're going to go through all that. You show up the same way every day and lead by example."
"As players we can get caught up in looking forward too much. I know the way that I prepare and play that I belong in the big leagues, but it's not always our choice. It becomes taking care of what we can take care of. I want to have a winning season and bring another championship here to El Paso and teach these young guys. It's fun to be a part of and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season with these guys."
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