Nieves attended Luis Pales Matos High School in Santa Rosa, Puerto Rico before being signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1988.\n', '

Nieves started his professional career fairly poorly. In 56 games with the Gulf Coast League Braves in 1988, he batting average was an anemic .170. He was only 16 years old at that time.\n', '

His time with the Pulaski Braves in 1989 was a great improvement. He played 64 games with them that year, hitting .277 with nine home runs and 64 RBI. He continued his improvement in 1990, hitting .283 with nine home runs and 59 RBI in 126 games with the Sumter Braves. His 10 stolen bases is a professional career high that he would match only once more in his career.\n', '

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