KYLE NICOLAS, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: February 22, 1999
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 223
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2nd Round, 61st Overall, 2020 (Marlins)
How Acquired: Trade (with Marlins)
College: Ball State University
Agent: N/A
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Miami selected Nicolas in the 2020 draft with its Competitive Balance Round B pick.  Baseball America rated him 68th in the draft pool on the basis of a mid-90s fastball that has reached triple digits, and an above-average slider.  He’s tried to develop a curve and change, but both remain fringy pitches.  Progress with one or the other will probably determine whether he’s ultimately a starter or reliever.  The Pirates acquired Nicolas in the Jacob Stallings trade.

2020
DNP

The pandemic kept Nicolas out of action.  BA rated him 17th in the Marlins’ system after the season.

2021
A+:  3-2-0, 5.28 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 59.2 IP, 3.6 BB/9, 13.0 K/9
AA:  3-2-0, 2.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 39.1 IP, 5.7 BB/9, 11.4 K/9

The Marlins assigned Nicolas aggressively to High-A, where he made a dozen starts and one relief appearance.  He had a very high K rate there, but had severe gopher ball problems, allowing 13, or one every four and a half innings.  Five of those home runs came in two bad outings in July.  In his next outing, though, Nicolas fanned ten over six, three-hit innings and Miami moved him up to AA.  He dominated in five starts there before seemingly running out of gas in his last three.  Control was obviously a problem in AA, but opponents batted only .167 and he gave up just three home runs.

The Pirates probably will try Nicolas as a starter, but if he moves to the bullpen it’s not inconceivable that he could reach the majors late in 2022.  They’ve initially assigned him to Altoona.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2022: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $1,129,700
MiLB Debut: 2021
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2026
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2023
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 11, 2020: Drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 2nd round, 61st overall pick; signed on July 15.
November 29, 2021: Traded by the Miami Marlins with Zach Thompson and Connor Scott to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jacob Stallings.
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