The Azusa Pacific baseball program has announced that former Cougar and MLB player Kirk Nieuwenhuis is returning to APU as a part of the 2020 coaching staff. Nieuwenhuis will join the staff as an assistant coach alongside his former head coach, Paul Svagdis.
"I couldn't be more excited to have someone of his caliber, baseball wise." Svagdis said, "He brings a wealth of experience at a level that nobody on this team has been to."
Nieuwenhuis was one of the best ever to play at APU on his way to the major leagues. He batted .373 over the course of his three seasons at Azusa Pacific and helped the Cougars reach the NAIA World Series in back-to-back seasons (2007, 2008). In 2008, Nieuwenhuis was selected to the NAIA All-American first team along with teammate and former coach Matt Venegas. Nieuwenhuis then became the fourth highest draft pick in Cougar history after he was drafted in the 3rd round (100th overall) by the New York Mets.
"I wouldn't have traded my 3 years of playing here for anything else and I loved the culture of the program," Nieuwenhuis said, "This program is special and Paul does such a good job with teaching guys how to be men. (The more) I reflect on my time here, the guys I played with influenced me a ton and the friendships that I made through being here for 3 years influenced me a ton."
Before making it to the major leagues, Nieuwenhuis spent 4 seasons in the minor leagues before getting the call-up. His 6-year major league career began on April 7, 2012. His professional career included some huge moments for him and the New York Mets franchise.
After arguably his best season with the Mets in 2014, the 2015 season didn't exactly go quite as planned. Nieuwenhuis was traded to the Angels midseason before being released just over two weeks later. The roller coaster continued as he was then claimed on waivers by the very team that traded him, the New York Mets. Through all of the adversity, Nieuwenhuis still proceeded to produce some of his best career highlights.
On July 12, 2015, he became the first ever Met to hit 3 home runs in a game at home. He also came up with a crucial pinch-hit game-winning home run in the 8th inning to complete a 6-run comeback against division foe, the Washington Nationals in a series that some say shaped the NL East in 2015. In that same season, Nieuwenhuis and the Mets ended up in the World Series. Nieuwenhuis became a fan favorite during his 4 seasons in the Big Apple. The fans even donned the nickname, "Captain Kirk".
After the 2015 season, Nieuwenhuis spent the next two years with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. In 2019, he spent a season in independent ball with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.
"About July of this year, I was playing independant ball and decided to hang them up." Nieuwenhuis said, "It was a tough decision but God gave me a lot of peace in that. Once I was praying about what was next, Paul called. And, obviously it wasn't a coincidence."
Nieuwenhuis will now look to make the transition from player to coach, which isn't always as easy as it seems. The different dynamic and power struggle could possibly take some time getting used to.
"I don't know that I would coach for (just) anybody, I just really think (this) was a really good fit and I am super excited about the opportunity," Nieuwenhuis said.
"Captain Kirk" as they like to call him in the Big Apple, is no stranger to playing with and against some of the best baseball players across the major leagues. As a Met, he played with players such as All-Star third baseman, David Wright. Cy Young Award winner, Jacob de Grom. And others like, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Daniel Murphy, Yoenis Cespedes and Curtis Granderson. While with the Brewers he had the chance to share the outfield with former MVP Ryan Braun.
"I was fortunate enough to play with a lot of really good players," Nieuwenhuis said, "One thing that I always tried to do is take something from them and learn from them. Hopefully I can pass that along."
Nieuwenhuis could have a lot more to pass along as well, not only in the hitting realm of baseball, but possibly pitching. Seeing MLB pitching each and everyday could be a valuable asset for the Cougars this season, not to mention Nieuwenhuis pitched a little bit for APU in his 2008 season. Despite all of his knowledge, Nieuwenhuis is excited for a new challenge that comes back to the culture of relationships built on and within Azusa Pacific.
"As much as I am looking forward to passing down some baseball stuff to these guys, I'm also looking forward to getting to know them and learning from them, too."
As the Cougars inch closer and closer to the 2020 season, Nieuwenhuis's largest impact could come from the dugout. Having another set of eyes that can read the game at a high level from the dugout alone will add value to the team. Until then, all there is to say is welcome home Captain Kirk!
