Wil Nieves
Born: 9/25/1977 in San Juan, P.R.
MLB Debut: 2002-07-21 | Final Game: 2015-04-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Wilbert Nieves
Biography
Wil Nieves, born in 1977, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2002 until 2015. Primarily known as a position player, Nieves played a total of 427 games throughout his career, showcasing his ability as a reliable backup catcher and utility player. He recorded 281 hits, including 10 home runs and 114 RBIs, culminating in a career batting average of .241. His playing style was characterized by solid defensive skills behind the plate, as well as a willingness to contribute offensively when called upon.
Nieves' career spanned over a decade, during which he experienced the transition of baseball in the early 2000s, an era marked by evolving player dynamics and strategies. He was known for his work ethic and versatility, which allowed him to serve various teams in different roles. While his offensive statistics may not have placed him among the elite, his contributions to his teams were valued, particularly for his leadership and experience in the clubhouse. After retiring from professional play on April 29, 2015, Wil Nieves left behind a legacy as a dependable player who contributed to the game in significant yet often understated ways.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 427 | 1164 | 88 | 281 | 54 | 2 | 10 | 114 | 3 | 61 | 228 | 0.241 | 0.280 | 0.317 | 0.597 | -3664.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | SDP | NL | 28 | 72 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 0.181 | -465.3 |
| 2005 | NYY | AL | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 2006 | NYY | AL | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 2007 | NYY | AL | 26 | 61 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0.164 | -482.4 |
| 2008 | WAS | NL | 68 | 176 | 15 | 46 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 13 | 29 | 0.261 | -445.3 |
| 2009 | WAS | NL | 72 | 224 | 20 | 58 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 17 | 45 | 0.259 | -753.4 |
| 2010 | WAS | NL | 59 | 158 | 10 | 32 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 29 | 0.203 | -702.0 |
| 2011 | MIL | NL | 20 | 50 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0.140 | -400.9 |
| 2012 | AZ | NL | 16 | 36 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.306 | 0.0 |
| 2012 | COL | NL | 16 | 47 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0.298 | 0.0 |
| 2013 | AZ | NL | 71 | 195 | 16 | 58 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 8 | 32 | 0.297 | -149.9 |
| 2014 | PHI | NL | 36 | 122 | 9 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 0.254 | -275.1 |
| 2015 | SDP | NL | 6 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.077 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C | 370 | 308 | 2186 | 167 | 28 | 19 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | SDN | C | 27 | 20 | 160 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | NYA | C | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | NYA | C | 6 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | NYA | C | 25 | 21 | 111 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 | NYA | 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | WAS | C | 61 | 46 | 359 | 31 | 3 | 4 |
| 2009 | WAS | C | 71 | 65 | 380 | 41 | 6 | 4 |
| 2010 | WAS | C | 51 | 42 | 290 | 20 | 5 | 4 |
| 2011 | MIL | C | 17 | 16 | 109 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | ARI | C | 12 | 7 | 56 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | COL | C | 12 | 12 | 84 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 | COL | 1B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | ARI | C | 47 | 40 | 323 | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | PHI | C | 34 | 34 | 246 | 26 | 1 | 4 |
| 2014 | PHI | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | SDN | C | 4 | 4 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | SDN | 1B | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 370 |
| First Base | 6 |
| Designated Hitter | 1 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | SDN | NL | $850,000 |
| 2014 | PHI | NL | $1,125,000 |
| 2013 | ARI | NL | $800,000 |
| 2011 | MIL | NL | $775,000 |
| 2010 | WAS | NL | $700,000 |
| 2009 | WAS | NL | $445,000 |
| 2007 | NYA | AL | $382,150 |
| 2006 | NYA | AL | $328,600 |
| Total Career Earnings | $5,405,750 | ||