• Full name Jonathon Joseph Niese
  • Born 10/27/1986 in Lima, OH
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Defiance
  • Debut 09/02/2008
  • Drafted in the 7th round (209th overall) by the New York Mets in 2005 (signed for $175,000).
    View Draft Report
    LHP Jon Niese allowed just one earned run in 78 innings this spring at Defiance High, which also produced Dodgers first-rounder Chad Billingsley two years ago. Ohio's first back-to-back winner of state player of the year awards, Niese won't go nearly as high because his stuff has been inconsistent, but he could sneak into the fifth round for a club that saw him on one of his better days. He's a projectable (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) lefty who already has a high-80s fastball. His splitter, curveball and slider all have potential. If he doesn't turn pro, he'll attend Cincinnati.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Curveball in the New York Mets in 2010
  • Rated Best Curveball in the New York Mets in 2009

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone