Jacob Nix’s professional baseball journey started one year after being drafted out of high school, which is uncommon. A failed physical by a different amateur prospect left Nix unsigned following the Houston Astros selecting him in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft. Being offered enough money originally but never being able to agree to the terms, the NCAA deemed Nix no longer an amateur, which prevented him from playing college baseball. Nix needed to then attend IMG Academy, where he pitched well enough to get drafted in the third round to the San Diego Padres. 

Nix made 25 starts in his first full season of pro ball in Midwest League with Fort Wayne TinCaps at the A-ball level. This catapulted Nix to high-A at the beginning of 2017 for the Lake Elsinore Storm, where Nix did not last long before receiving a promotion to double-A.  

At this point, Nix had become a top prospect with the Padres, an organization which pushed its prospects to the majors quicker than most. A stellar start to the 2018 season got Nix his call to the show and became the 21,738th player to pitch in the big leagues when he made his debut on August 10 by picking up the win with six scoreless innings. Making nine starts to close the 2018 season, Nix figured to be a large part of the San Diego Padres turning the corner out of a rebuild that had now spanned 12 consecutive seasons without a playoff berth. 

Three starts into 2019 spring training, Nix strained his elbow, which spiraled his career. He was only able to make six starts that year in the minors before going to the Arizona Fall League to get additional work in. Without 2020’s minor league season, Nix did not pitch at all the year before tearing his UCL in March 2021 and needing to undergo Tommy John surgery. Unable to make his recovery until after 2022’s season, Nix elected free agency and pitched in Japan for 2023 but hasn’t since. He is one of the most high-profile arms to arms to come to Lake Country, and we can’t wait to see him pitch in 2025.