School: American Heritage HS (Florida)
Class: HS Senior
Height: 6′0″
Weight: 195 lbs.
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
Pos: c
Hometown: Plantation, FL
Commitment: South Florida
Previously Drafted: None
Strengths:
Nieto is a rare breed: a switch-hitting high school catcher. He’s got a strong, accurate arm that plenty strong for the position. He also has plus bat speed from either side of the plate and the power to launch home runs.
Weaknesses:
High school catchers are a gamble. Two recent high school first round picks, Neil Walker (2004) and Brandon Snyder (2005) have moved to other positions. Nieto can play first base, but his value is significantly weakened.
The Future:
[UPDATE (4/28)]: ESPN.com’s Keith Law reports that teams are interested in taking Nieto in the first supplemental round. He identifies the Brewers, who own the 32nd and 35th overall picks, as a likely destination.
