Kyle Nelson is Ready to Compete All Year for the Diamondbacks

The lefty reliever has had his ups and downs and knows what it takes to stick on a major league roster

World Series - Texas Rangers v Arizona Diamondbacks - Game Four / Jamie Squire/GettyImages

Lefty reliever Kyle Nelson is used to competing for his place on a major league roster. Drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in 2017, he made his major league debut for that organization in 2020, and got into brief action in 2021, but his results were poor. In 10.1 innings he gave up 14 runs, Placed on waivers in November of that year, the Diamondbacks picked him up.

Nelson didn't make the opening day roster for the D-backs in 2022, but was in the big leagues by April 10th. He was a revelation, pitching extremely effectively. In 38 games between his D-backs debut and August 2nd he had a 1.57 ERA and a .189 batting average against while registering eight holds. Back spasms knocked him out of action for a month, and he struggled with command for a bit when he came back in September. He allowed three runs in his final game on September 12th, after which he went back on the injures list with elbow inflammation. Nelson ended up with a 2.19 ERA in 43 games

Nelson recovered from that elbow injury and was ready to go in spring training 2023. Despite that excellent first season in the desert however, a rocky spring led to Nelson being optioned on March 24th. Only an injury to Joe Mantiply two days before the season started allowed Nelson to grab the final spot in the bullpen.

Nelson started where he left off, getting great results. Through May 22nd he had a microscopic 1.42 ERA, albeit a higher, but still solid 3.26 FIP. From there forward however he struggled pitching to a 5.59 ERA and 5.06 FIP the rest of the way. The home run was a particular problem, as he gave up just two of them through May 22nd, but then allowed 10 long balls over his final 37 regular season innings.

By the time September rolled around Nelson was being regulated to low leverage situations. Andreew Saalfrank had been called up and didn't give up a run in September, earning high leverage innings in the post season. Heading into spring camp this year, Nelson was going to have to compete for a spot on the opening day roster once again. He had a good spring, while Saalfrank had command issues, and has won a spot on the opening day roster.

Nelson knows better than to rest on his laurels or assume that his place is secure just because he's on the opening day roster however.

"The way I look at it is you are always competing for your roster spot. People put a huge emphasis on opening day roster, which is of course a huge accomplishment and an absolute honor and what everyone in this room is going for. But after that game there are 161 more to play....... It doesn't matter at what point you're here. You have to perform. That's what this business entails."

That mindset will do Nelson good. While Nelson tends to be one of the quieter guys in the clubhouse, he's an intense competitor who wrings every last ounce of performance out of his ability. Pitching coach Brent Strom once described Nelson as "a quiet assassin". He'll need to continue to perform well to hold his spot on the D-backs ever deepening roster.