The son of former big leaguer and current Yankees third-base coach Phil Nevin, Tyler was selected in the supplemental first round of the 2015 Draft as a high schooler with an advanced bat. When he's been on the field, he's largely lived up to those expectations, particularly in hitting-friendly Lancaster in 2018 and then by winning the Arizona Fall League batting title that fall. Injuries kept him off the field for nearly all of 2016 and a lot of the 2017 season, and he played in just 100 games in 2018. He did stay healthy with his move to Double-A in 2019, though he didn't swing the bat as well, but the Rockies still saw enough to add him to the 40-man roster. He was sent to the Orioles on the eve of the 2020 Trade Deadline as part of the Mychal Givens deal.
Nevin has used outstanding plate discipline and an ability to make consistent hard contact to hit for average at every stop before the 2019 season. He didn't drive the ball as consistently last year, with fewer line drives, but he still showed glimpses of being able to use all fields and did tie his career high in home runs, with several hit the other way. He still drew a ton of walks and kept his strikeouts down, which should help him get back on track in the future.
While a year ago Nevin saw most of his time defensively at first base, where he should be a solid defender, he continued to get some time at his original position at third and also got reps in the outfield corners. He might break into the big leagues as a super-utility type, but he's still plenty young enough to develop into a big league regular at first base.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Ever since signing with the Rockies as a supplemental first-round pick in 2015, Nevin has had bad luck with injuries. The son of former big leaguer Phil Nevin missed nearly all of the 2016 season with hamstring issues, played in just 82 games in 2017 with a wrist injury and while he played well in the California League in 2018 and reached 100 games played for the first time in his career, a quad problem shelved him twice. He was due some good fortune and it came in the form of a minor Brendan Rodgers injury that kept the top Rockies prospect from going to the Arizona Fall League, allowing Nevin to step in and win the league's batting title.
Nevin has always shown the ability to hit for average. He has an advanced approach at the plate, showing a willingness to see pitches and a knack for barreling up the baseball. He drives the ball to the gaps and started to show his raw power in games more in 2018, though he's never one to sell out for home runs. A third baseman in high school and at the outset of his career, Nevin has seen more time at first than the hot corner, though he continues to get reps at both, including during his AFL stint. He has good hands and actions that point to being a solid defender at first.
The key for Nevin is simply to stay healthy. If he can do that, he can build off of his AFL success and attack the upper levels of the Rockies system.
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
The son of former No. 1 overall pick and current Yankees third-base coach Phil Nevin, Tyler missed his high school junior season while recovering from Tommy John surgery but recovered to land an over-slot $2 million bonus as a supplemental first-rounder in 2015. He has had health issues in pro ball as well, missing almost all of 2016 with hamstring woes and two months last year with a wrist injury. He has made a successful jump to high Class A in 2018 but spent two stints on the disabled list with a quadriceps issue.
Growing up around the game helped Nevin develop advanced hitting skills for his age. He already works counts well and focuses on driving balls from gap to gap rather than worrying about home runs. He has a quality right-handed swing with bat speed and should develop plenty of natural power once he gets stronger and adds some loft to his stroke.
Nevin broke into pro ball at third base but given the organization's depth at the position (beginning with superstar Nolan Arenado), he saw more action at first base in 2017. The Rockies like his actions and hands at third base, but his below-average speed and average arm fit better at the opposite corner.
The son of former No. 1 overall pick and current Giants third-base coach Phil Nevin, Tyler missed his high school junior season following Tommy John surgery but recovered to become a supplemental first-rounder in 2015. Signed for $2 million, he held his own during his pro debut as the youngest regular in the Rookie-level Pioneer League (age 18) but played just one game in 2016. He hurt his hamstring in extended spring training, doubled in his first at-bat when he got back on the field in mid-August and reinjured his hamstring scoring two batters later.
Taller and more athletic than his father, Nevin has a chance to hit for power and average. Growing up around the game has helped him develop advanced hitting skills for his age, as he works counts and presently tries to drive balls from gap to gap. He has bat speed and plenty of room to add strength on his 6-foot-4 frame, so home runs should come naturally once he adds some loft to his right-handed stroke.
While there are few questions about his offensive potential, Nevin's long-term defensive home remains in question. The Rockies believe his actions, hands and arm could work at third base but have played him more at first base this year. Additionally, his below-average speed and average arm probably fit better at first base or on an outfield corner.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
The son of former No. 1 overall pick and All-Star Phil Nevin, Tyler bounced back from Tommy John surgery that cost him his junior season of high school to become a supplemental first-rounder in 2015. Growing up around the game helped his transition into pro ball after he signed for $2 million, and he hit .265/.368/.386 as the youngest regular (age 18) in the Rookie-level Pioneer League last summer. A severe hamstring injury sidelined him for the first four months of this season.
Taller and more athletic than his father was, Nevin is an advanced hitter for his age. He works counts and tries to drive the ball from gap to gap with a quick line-drive stroke. As he gets stronger and adds more leverage to his right-handed swing, he could hit 20 homers per season.
Though some scouts believe Nevin will wind up on an outfield corner or at first base, the Rockies are confident he'll stick at third base. He has the actions, hands and arm to play at the hot corner, and they think he can improve his first-step quickness. He has below-average speed but good instincts on the bases.
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50
The son of former big leaguer, and No. 1 overall pick, Phil Nevn, Tyler Nevin was taken No. 38 overall by the Rockies in the 2015 Draft and was given an above-pick value bonus of $2 million.
Fully recovered from 2013 Tommy John surgery, Nevin's arm is a solid average tool from third. It does remain to be seen if he can stay there long-term, with some seeing a move to a corner outfield spot or perhaps to first base. While Nevin is a below-average runner, he's more athletic than you would think and runs much better underway. Whatever position Nevin plays, it will be his bat that will be his carrying tool. He was one of the more advanced high school hitters in his Draft class and his frame and pedigree say he's going to grow into a good amount of power.
All of Nevin's skills play up because of what is universally lauded as his plus makeup, something that will certainly help him move up the ladder.
