Meet a Prospect: Nick Nelson

With the Yankees fourth round pick in the 2016 MLB First Year Players Draft the organization selected a right-handed pitcher out of Gulf Coast Community College and his name was Nick Nelson. Nelson became the 128^th overall pick in the draft despite being committed to the University of Florida (the 3^rd ranked college baseball team in the nation) and had recently signed with the club for below slot beginning his professional career. Let’s meet him.

This is Meet a Prospect: The Nick Nelson Edition. Heading into the draft Baseball America had Nelson listed as their 325^th best prospect on the board and the 38^th best prospect in the state of Florida making him a bit of a reach for the Yankees. Either New York liked Nelson more than everyone else did, everyone else was worried about his commitment to the Florida Gators or the Yankees simply drafted him to save some pool space in order to sign Blake Rutherford. Either way Nelson has signed, for below cap once again, and is officially a part of the organization.

Nelson is just 20-years old and is listed at 6’1”. Nelson is a two-way player in college but will shift to the mound full time after posting a 4.48 ERA in 15 starts and 90.1 innings this season. In those 90 innings Nelson struck out 99 batters while walking 38 while also playing some first base. Nelson was much better in 2015 posting a 2.96 ERA in 24.1 innings, six starts and one relief appearance.

Nelson boasts a low 90’s MPH fastball with a developing breaking ball. Since Nelson owns just two pitches currently his future may be in the Yankees bullpen although New York has already announced that they would give him every chance to start much like they have done with Jonathan Holder, Vicente Camps and Chance Adams in recent years.

Nelson is in the fold and he saved a little money for the team to give to one of Blake Rutherford, Nick Solak or Nolan Martinez. Welcome to the team, welcome to the organization and most importantly welcome to the Yankees family!