Jayson Nix

Nix played a key role in helping the Yankees hang in the playoff race as long as they did, filling in all around the infield, and even providing value in deep fantasy leagues with 13 steals, before succumbing to the injury bug himself in late August. He signed a minor league deal with the Rays in January that includes an invite to spring training, and whether he gets enough playing time to provide fantasy value figures to depend on the health of the guys ahead of him on the depth chart, though a utility role is a possibility. If, by chance, he sees 400 at-bats, 20 steals wouldn't be out of the question, but he isn't likely to provide much else.

Nix was a valuable fill-in for the Yankees down the stretch in 2012, scoring 24 runs in 177 at-bats and providing valuable defensive stability. Nix would be exposed at the plate in any kind of full-time role, but he'll be a valuable fill-in because of his defensive versatility. With Derek Jeter working his way back from ankle surgery, Nix could find himself in a position to see extra playing time in April depending on The Captain's recovery.

Nix showed some pop (13 homers in 78 games) for Cleveland after joining the team midseason, but once again struggled to hit for much of an average (.234). He bounced around between second and third base for Cleveland, but has been working out as a third baseman this winter. He's got the inside track on the starting job at third but the Indians are looking for alternatives at press time. He might provide cheap power in a full-time role, but Nix figures to hurt your batting average as he's never been a great contributor in that department throughout his professional career.

Nix continued his streak of being unable to hit for average in the majors (.224 in 255 at-bats), but his power from the middle infield (12 home runs, 11 doubles) impressed Ozzie Guillen and company. He might have won the starting second base job in spring training, but a quad injury curtailed those hopes and he was relegated to a reserve role. Gordon Beckham blocks him at second heading into 2010, so look for Nix to play all over the field once again, with an increasing presence in the outfield.

Nix can't hit at the major league level, although his failure to do so last spring enabled him to be the second baseman on Team USA last summer. No one carries a defensive replacement at second base, and Nix's plus defense can't carry his bat. Despite this, he'll be in the mix for at-bats at second base with the White Sox during spring training.

Nix was considered a top prospect when drafted in 2001. He toiled in the minors for six seasons slowly moving up to Triple-A but never showing any of the promise expected of him. In 2007, he seemed to put it all together for the first time. At age 25, he hit .292/.342/.451 with 11 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 124 games. With the departure of Kaz Matsui during the winter Nix becomes the favorite to win the starting second base job. He will compete with Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla during spring training. The Rockies are also looking for a veteran to compete for the job, but Nix is the favorite heading into spring training.

Nix's days as a top prospect are officially over. Colorado, despite two consecutive sub-par seasons from Nix in the Double-A Texas League, advanced him to Triple-A for 2006. There he batted just .251/.317/.313 in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with just two homers in 358 at-bats. Nix is (or was) a middle infielder with above-average power potential and a solid batting eye. A change of scenery may be in order for the former first-round pick.

Nix played all of 2005 at Double-A Tulsa for the second straight year and showed no development at the plate. He batted .236/.289/.355 with 11 home runs and struck out 92 times. Nix has a good glove but must progress offensively before he can move through the farm system. His days as a top prospect are quickly fading.

Nix's stats have steadily gone south with each stop in the minors, so he better improve upon his .212 average against Double-A pitching this year if he wants to be considered a prospect. With Colorado's lack of organizational depth at second and Nix's power potential, he'll be given every chance to succeed, but right now he won't progress unless he can get his bat back on track.

Nix was taken with the 44th pick in the 2001 draft and after struggling a bit in his first two seasons in the minors, he came of his own last year at high Single-A Visalia. Despite being one of the youngest players in the league, Nix led the Oaks in most offensive categories, including homers, RBI, hits and stolen bases. While he's still learning to control the strike zone and get a handle on exactly what being a major league infielder means, he's a good bet to take another step forward this year. He's on pace to crack the majors in '05 and might get a look with the Rockies as early as September if he keeps churning out extra base hits.

Nix, a top high school pitcher, was a 2002 All-Star in the Low-A South Atlantic League in his first full-year of pro baseball. He projects as a legitimate power middle infielder as evidenced by his 14 home runs and 46 extra-base hits as a 19-year-old. Still learning the position, his range is questionable but is compensated for by pure tenacity and a strong work ethic. The 2001 first round supplemental pick should find himself in High-A Visalia Oaks in 2003 and a call-up to Double-A during the season remains a possibility. The club generally uses Triple-A Colorado Springs as their final testing ground, and the 20-year-old shouldn’t be pushed to that level yet. The Rockies currently have ex-Brewer Ron Belliard, a similar prospect at one time, and Pablo Ozuna pushing for time, as well as Brent Butler. Nix has the potential to be superior to any of these options, but will need time to develop. 2005 is the likely time of arrival