Right-handed pitcher Nick Nelson has signed a one-year contract worth $1 million plus incentives with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, as announced by his agency, Beverly Hills Sports Council. Phillies Tailgate previously reported that the two sides were in negotiations.
Nelson, 29, has pitched in the majors for the past five seasons with the Yankees and Phillies but struggled to find consistent success. Over 114 1/3 innings, he posted a 5.20 ERA, with a strikeout rate of 23.1% and a ground ball rate of 42.6%, both close to league average. However, his high 12.9% walk rate was a concern.
Like many players heading overseas, his minor league performance is more intriguing. Initially a starter in the minors, he transitioned to a relief role in 2021, pitching 52 innings at Triple-A with a 3.81 ERA, 26.3% strikeout rate, 12.3% walk rate, and an impressive 53.6% ground ball rate. In 2022, he remained in the majors, logging 68 2/3 innings with a 4.85 ERA. The Phillies attempted to stretch him out as a starter again in 2023, but his 20 Triple-A starts resulted in a 4.35 ERA, 17.7% strikeout rate, 9.9% walk rate, and 49.3% ground ball rate. A return to relief in 2024 didn’t yield better results, as he posted a 6.13 ERA over 54 1/3 Triple-A innings with declining strikeout (18%) and ground ball (41.6%) rates.
Nelson exhausted his final minor league option in 2024, and the Phillies outrighted him off their 40-man roster twice late in the season before he elected free agency. Had he remained in North America for 2025, he likely would have had to settle for a minor league deal and fight for a roster spot. Instead, by signing with Hanshin, he secures a salary well above the MLB minimum of $760K. If he performs well in Japan, he could earn a larger deal with the Tigers or potentially follow the path of players like Miles Mikolas and Colin Rea in making a return to MLB.
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