Kyle Nicolas

Nicolas showed premium stuff last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he reached 97 mph with his fastball and started improving his breaking ball. Strike-throwing was always a concern with Nicolas, however, and he was erratic with Cotuit in spite of his improved stuff. In 24.1 innings he struck out 31 batters, but he walked 21. After working with first-year Ball State pitching coach Larry Scully in the fall, scouts saw much improved control in Nicolas’ four starts before the 2020 season ended. In 23 innings, Nicolas walked just seven batters and struck out 37, the best strikeout and walk rates of his career. Nicolas simplified his delivery and shortened his stride to get the ball in the strike zone more during his junior season, which has allowed him to have much more success with a fastball that’s regularly in the 93-96 mph range. He pairs that with a slider in the 85-87 mph range with solid downward bite. Nicolas' breaking ball has above-average potential, but he is still developing a feel for the offering. He’s also shown a changeup, but it's a distant third pitch behind his fastball and slider. Nicolas' inconsistent control and lack of a third pitch lead many evaluators to think he'll end up a reliever, but he has big stuff, a big frame and the aptitude to make the necessary adjustments to possibly remain a starter.