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 128th
overall pick in the draft despite being committed to the University of Florida
(the 3rd 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 325th
best prospect on the board and the 38th 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!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)