Nick Maness
| IP | 656 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.335 |
| WHIP | 1.456 |
| BB/9 | 4.404 |
| SO/9 | 7.436 |
- Full name Nicholas Maurice Maness
- Born 10/17/1978 in Pinehurst, NC
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School North Moore
- Drafted in the 12th round (360th overall) by the New York Mets in 1997.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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No player in the organization was more affected by Brian Cole's death than Maness, his best friend. After an impressive showing in spring training which earned praise from Mets manager Bobby Valentine, Maness battled through a trying Double-A season. His fastball, which had been in the low 90s in the past, dropped to the high 80s. He did impress New York's brass by pitching well over his final five starts. Maness always has been considered an emotional pitcher with inconsistent mechanics who can be unhittable when everything is in sync. In addition to his fastball, he throws an above-average changeup and a modest curveball. Following his difficult season, the Mets hope Maness can regain his 2000 form this year. -
Aside from Perez, Maness is the highest-ranking newcomer on the list. His cousin Dwight is a minor league outfielder who played the Mets system after an August 1995 trade with the Dodgers for Brett Butler. Dwight spent last year in Double-A with the Mariners. Maness has a power arm. His low-90s fastball is the best in the system. His changeup gives him a second above-average pitch, and he also throws a curveball. When Maness is on, he can be unhittable. He came on last year as he started taking his profession more seriously. Maness' emotions can get the best of him. Command of his pitches remains an issue as well, as he walked the leadoff hitter in his first five Arizona Fall League starts this offseason. Even after he settles in, he sometimes has trouble finding consistency in his delivery. Maness finished 2000 with a so-so performance in the AFL. He'll start this season in Double-A after making two appearances there last June.
