 Doug Nickle was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 13th round of the 1997 amateur draft on June 3, 1997.He signed with the Angels on June 9, 1997, but quickly left that organization as a player on September 9, 1998 when he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Gregg Jefferies to complete an earlier deal made on August 28.On September 18, 2000, Nickle made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies.