Nick Heath (baseball) explained

Nick Heath
Width:265
Team:Long Island Ducks
Number:9
Position:Outfielder
Birth Date:27 November 1993
Birth Place:Junction City, Kansas, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:July 30
Debutyear:2020
Debutteam:Kansas City Royals
Statyear:2021 season
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.146
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:0
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:4
Teams:

Nicholas James Heath (born November 27, 1993) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Career

Heath attended Junction City High School in Junction City, Kansas.[1] Undrafted out of high school, Heath attended Northwestern State University. He redshirted his freshman year and played the following three seasons of college baseball for the Demons (2014-2016).[2] Heath was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 16th round, with the 493rd overall selection, of the 2016 MLB draft.[3]

Kansas City Royals

Heath played for the Idaho Falls Chukars in 2016, hitting .291/.350/.387/.737 with 2 home runs, 28 RBI, and 36 stolen bases.[4] He split the 2017 season between the Arizona Royals, Lexington Legends, and Wilmington Blue Rocks, hitting a combined .253/.316/.298/.614 with 1 home run, 16 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. Heath split the 2018 season between Wilmington and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, hitting a combined .274/.376/.358/.734 with 2 home runs, 27 RBI, and 39 stolen bases.[1] He played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League following the 2018 season.[5] He split the 2019 season between Northwest Arkansas and the Omaha Storm Chasers, hitting a combined .255/.345/.387/.732 with 8 home runs, 36 RBI, and 60 stolen bases.[6] [7]

Heath was added to the Royals 40–man roster following the 2019 season.[8] He made his MLB debut on July 30, 2020, against the Detroit Tigers. Overall with the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Heath batted .154 with no home runs and 3 RBIs in 15 games.[9]

On April 14, 2021, Heath was designated for assignment by the Royals.[10]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On April 17, 2021, Heath was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-hander Eduardo Herrera.[11] Heath hit .143/.231/.171 with no home runs and 1 RBI in 20 games for Arizona before he was designated for assignment on July 10.[12] On July 14, Heath was assigned outright to the Triple-A Reno Aces.[13] He was released on April 30, 2022.

Charleston Dirty Birds

On June 19, 2022, Heath signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Heath appeared in 77 games for Charleston, slashing .238/.358/.349 with 4 home runs, 33 RBI, and 42 stolen bases. He became a free agent following the season.

Chicago Dogs

On March 16, 2023, Heath signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[14] In 68 games for Chicago, he batted .241/.373/.361 with four home runs, 34 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. Heath would become a free agent after the 2023 season.

Long Island Ducks

On March 28, 2024, Heath signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[15]

Personal life

Heath's mother, Kimberly Milleson, ran track at Kansas State University and was a U.S. Olympic trials participant.[16]

In June 2020, Northwestern State created the Nick Heath Minority Scholarship which it announced would be awarded to three minority baseball players between ages 5 and 13 to cover the cost of enrollment at a school-sponsored youth baseball camp. Heath also announced that he would be donating a bat and custom glove to each recipient of the scholarship.[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Junction City native Heath promoted in Royals system. The Daily Union. Alix Kunkle. July 25, 2018. November 8, 2019.
  2. Web site: The Speed Demon. Spring Break Beat. Nick Couzin. March 21, 2018. November 8, 2019.
  3. Web site: Two Demons taken in first 20 rounds of MLB Draft. Luke Thompson. The Times. June 11, 2016. November 8, 2019.
  4. Web site: Former Demon Nick Heath honored by Royals organization. Jason Pugh. March 3, 2017. Northwestern State Demons baseball. November 8, 2019.
  5. Web site: Nick Heath Named to AFL Top Prospects Team. MLB.com. Nick Kappel. December 11, 2018. November 8, 2019.
  6. Web site: Bubic, Lee lead prosperous Royals ranks. Jordan Wolf. MiLB.com. November 1, 2019. November 8, 2019.
  7. Web site: Former Junction City Blue Jay Nick Heath is moving up in the Royals system. Dewey Terrill. Junction City Post. July 27, 2018. November 8, 2019.
  8. Web site: Royals add four players to 40-man roster; Bonifacio, Dini among four DFA'd. Fox Sports Kansas City. November 20, 2019. November 20, 2019.
  9. Web site: Nick Heath Stats, Fantasy & News. MLB.com.
  10. Web site: Royals Designate Nick Heath for Assignment. April 14, 2021 .
  11. Web site: Diamondbacks Acquire Nick Heath. April 17, 2021 .
  12. Web site: Diamondbacks Reinstate Kole Calhoun from Injured List, Designate Nick Heath. July 10, 2021 .
  13. Web site: D-backs Outright Nick Heath. July 14, 2021 .
  14. Web site: American Association of Professional Baseball - 2023 Transactions .
  15. Web site: Ducks Ink Former Major Leaguer Nick Heath. March 29, 2024. oursportscentral.com. March 28, 2024 . en.
  16. Web site: Here are 10 interesting 40-man roster additions. MLB.com. Jim Callis. November 22, 2019. November 23, 2019.
  17. News: Pugh . Jason . Rhodes Properties establishes Nick Heath Minority Scholarship for youth camp . 7 August 2020 . . June 9, 2020 . en.