Behind the Biscuits: TJ Nichols
MONTGOMERY, Ala (WAKA)- TJ Nichols, a member of the Biscuits starting pitching rotation, grew up out in California, and to start, baseball was a family affair for him.
“I always played baseball growing up. My dad introduced me to the sport, and I also had a brother who played, so we’d always go out all the time and play baseball and just compete and have a good time,” explains Nichols.
Fast forward to his college career, TJ went on to have a successful career at the University of Arizona. During his freshman season with the Wildcats, he helped them to a deep run in the postseason, where he even got to pitch on the biggest stage in college baseball, the College World Series in Omaha. While pitching at the College World Series, TJ threw two shutout innings against Vanderbilt.
Following three seasons at Arizona, TJ was then drafted by the Rays in 2023 in the 6th round as the 183rd overall pick.
“It’s crazy for me personally, it was a little bit different than I would say the normal guy getting drafted. I was projected to go a little bit higher, and I had a really bad season and thankfully I got drafted by the Rays they took a chance on me and now I’m here and grateful for the opportunity,” says Nichols.
Now while pursuing his dream of playing baseball at the highest level, he’s also pursuing something else, and that’s finding his purpose.
“Just be the best person and player I can be through God’s word. I struggle with maybe figuring out how to do that in the best way, but sometimes I fall back into the I want to succeed on the field so it’s a constant battle,” explains Nichols.
TJ is currently listed as #7 on the Rays prospect list.
You can catch TJ and the rest of the Biscuits at home this weekend as they finish up their series with the Smokies.
The week seven winner of the Behind the Biscuits Experience is Michael Rudolph. Each weekly winner will take home a pair of Biscuit’s tickets and $33 in “Biscuits Bucks” that can be used at any vendor or in the Biscuit Basket. Each weekly winner will then be entered into our Grand Prize contest to win the Exclusive Behind the Biscuits Experience for ten people. The experience includes: a tour of DABOS Park, a front row seat at batting practice, a meet and greet with Biscuit’s player, and ten tickets to watch the game in a private suite.
To register, go to waka.com click on the Behind the Biscuits Experience in the check it out section. The contest runs through July 17th.
