Adrián Nieto


Adrián Nieto is a Cuban professional baseball catcher for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox.

Career

Washington Nationals

Nieto was born in Cuba, but raised in Florida. He attended American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida. He played for the school's baseball team as a catcher. After Nieto graduated, the Washington Nationals selected him in the fifth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the Nationals, receiving a $376,000 signing bonus, roughly twice as much as MLB suggested he should receive based on his draft position.
Nieto struggled in his early career. In 2011, he was suspended for 50 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.
Nieto played for the Spanish national baseball team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. In the 2013 season, Nieto batted.285 with 11 home runs for the Potomac Nationals of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. The Nationals assigned him to the Arizona Fall League after the season to continue his development.

Chicago White Sox

After the 2013 season, the Chicago White Sox selected Nieto with the third pick in the Rule 5 Draft. Because Nieto was a Rule 5 Draft pick, he had to be on the Chicago White Sox roster for the entire season, so for 2014, he was the backup to Tyler Flowers. Nieto spent the 2015 season in the minor leagues, and was released after the season.

Miami Marlins

Nieto signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins for the 2016 season.

Cincinnati Reds

Nieto signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on January 2, 2017. He was released on August 27, 2017.

Kansas City T-Bones

On May 4, 2018, Nieto signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association. He was released on March 11, 2019.

Sioux Falls Canaries

On March 19, 2019, Nieto signed with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association.

Second stint with Miami Marlins

On June 22, 2019, Nieto's contract was purchased by the Miami Marlins.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

On February 4, 2020, Nieto signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.