Drey Jameson and Ryne Nelson: Bonds Forged by Competition

Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson's spring competition made them better and strengthened their friendship

Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson have been joined at the hip ever since draft night 2019.  Jameson was taken by the Diamondbacks in the first round, with the 34th overall pick. Nelson was drafted with the team's very next pick in the 2nd round. Just 5 1/2 months apart in age,  the two 25 year olds have  shadowed each other in their march through the minor leagues, forging a strong friendship along the way. 

Both were assigned to the short season Hillsboro Hops, Nelson making his pro debut on July 13 of their draft year, and Jameson followed him eight days later. After the lost season due to the Pandemic they both resumed their minor league career at Hillsboro in 2021. Nelson fared slightly better, posting a 2.52 ERA in eight starts, and was promoted to AA Amarillo on June 30th, 2021.  Jameson  followed Nelson  a little over a month later on  August 5th after posting a 3.92 for the Hops. 

The next year played out similarly. Nelson was promoted straight to Triple-A Reno, while Jameson was held back for a month in Amarillo before getting promoted himself.  They both had ups and downs in the turbocharged offensive environment of the Pacific Coast League. But on September 5th Nelson had a spectacular major league debut, throwing seven innings of four hit shutout baseball.  Following right behind, Jameson made his debut on September 15th throwing  seven shutout innings of his own, allowing just two hits. 

In three starts, 18 innings, Nelson posted a 1.47 ERA before shutting down for the year with a sore shoulder. Jameson made four starts, posting a 1.48 ERA in 24 innings. Those performances set the two up to be in direct competition for the lone remaining rotation spot in spring training this year. With plenty of ebb and flow and roughly equal performance, the team finally made their decision on Sunday.  Nelson would be in the rotation and Jameson would start the year in the bullpen. 

Asked what it was like competing against his best friend on the team Nelson was matter of fact. 

"It's really no different than what we've been doing the last four years. We got drafted together, we've played every level together.......we always knew at some point we were going to be fighting each other, but remain friends through the whole thing. We're always going to be friends. Stuff like that doesn't get in the way of it. If anything it makes us better."

For his part, Jameson felt similarly when speaking of being in direct competition with his close friend.. With somewhat of a wry smile and a chuckle he said:

"It's fun. I enjoyed it. But ultimately he got me. He produced a little better than me. I look at it as this year, or the following year, it could be 2-3-4-5 in the starting role. I don't look at it any negative way. I'm proud of him, and I think he feels the same for me."

Torey Lovullo talked about the two pitcher's personalities, which couldn't be any different.  Jameson is more effusive, outwardly competitive, and prone to joking around a bit more. Nelson is quieter, thoughtful, and has a very calm demeanor. When asked how the conversations went, Lovullo said:

"Drey was typical Drey. He said I don't give a s__t, I just want to win baseball games. That to me defines exactly who he is, and he knows he's gonna help us win baseball games other than starting every fifth day. I know he wants to be starter. I tried to beat him to the punch by telling him I know he wants to be a starter. He reemphasized that only one time then he just told me what he told me. Nellie was typical Nellie style, very humble, very quiet, very appreciative."

The Diamondbacks are lucky to have these two young pitchers, pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves. It's almost an embarrassment of riches. Nelson and Jameson will likely  be joined by Brandon Pfaadt sometime this season, and there are several more strong starting pitching prospects behind Pfaadt. For now Nelson and Jameson are setting the pace and setting the example, showing how to be compete and be good teammates at the same time.