Jacob Nix earns his big league debut this weekend as the San Diego Padres promotes him from the minors. The right-hander with a 1.84 ERA this season and he will most likely start when the Phillies visit Petco Park this weekend.
According to MLB Pipeline, Nix is the Padres’ No 14 prospect. However, such is the esteem in which the San Diego farm system is held, Nix would be a high-ranking top ten prospect elsewhere.
A third-round pick in the 2015 draft, the right-hander’s 1.84 ERA this season indicates he is ready for his promotion. Last weekend he made his first start for Triple-A El Paso; Nix pitched six innings without conceding. In his nine games for San Antonio, his ERA was 2.05
Although the Padres have still to announce the move, speculation over Nix’s promotion increased after his 1.84 ERA against Triple-A El Paso for Double-A San Antonio.
He follows Brett Kennedy into the starting line-up. Also a right-hander, he debuts this week against Milwaukee after the Padres selected his contract on Tuesday.
A tantalizing future is dangling before Nix. Eric Lauer is some way off returning to the starting line-up as he struggles to overcome a left forearm injury. If Nix lives up to expectations, there’s no rush on the Padres to bring Lauer back quickly.
If the Padres don’t add the 22-year-old out of Fullerton, CA., to their roster by December, he becomes eligible for the Rule 5 draft. The Padres do not relish losing a top prospect so cheaply.
