Kevin Nicholson
| AB | 97 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .216 |
| OBP | .255 |
| SLG | .33 |
| HR | 1 |
- Full name Kevin Ronald Nicholson
- Born 03/29/1976 in Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- School Stetson
- Debut 06/23/2000
- Drafted in the 1st round (27th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 1997 (signed for $830,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Nicholson became the first Canadian ever drafted in the first round when the Padres took him 27th overall in 1997, and he reached the majors three years later. He has a chance to make San Diego's Opening Day roster, perhaps as a utilityman before growing into a starting role. The question is whether he's better suited for shortstop or second base. Nicholson has the arm for short, but his hands and range are just adequate for the position. But the Padres need a shortstop after moving former starter Damian Jackson to second base last year. Nicholson has good gap power for a middle infielder and runs better than his stocky build might indicate. He needs to tighten his strike zone and make better contact, especially after fanning 31 times in 97 big league at-bats. -
Minor League Top Prospects
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A second full year in a league doesn't normally speak well for a player's progress. But this switch-hitting 1997 first-round pick was clearly among the managers' favorites despite committing too many errors. Nicholson, who has always been regarded as an offensive shortstop, had 13 home runs and 81 RBIs to make up for his 32 errors. That made up for a 1998 season in which he hit .215-5-52 for the BayBears. "There are not 10 bona fide position players in the league who you can say are major league prospects," Trembley said. "He's one of them."
