The Reds have claimed left-hander Justin Nicolino off waivers from the Marlins. The addition of Nicolino gives the Reds 39 players on their 40-man roster.
Nicolino was once a well-regarded prospect, as he went to Toronto in the second round of the 2010 draft and later ended up on various top 100 lists. He was also one of the pieces in a massive 2012 trade between the Blue Jays and Marlins, one that featured a slew of household names in Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio, Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Alvarez, Jake Marisnick, Jeff Mathis and Anthony DeSclafani (who’s now a Red).
Unfortunately for both the Marlins and Nicolino, he didn’t perform to expectations after the trade. Nicolino debuted in 2015 and saw extensive action in Miami through last season, but he only managed a 4.65 ERA/4.84 FIP across 201 1/3 innings (50 appearances, 33 starts). While Nicolino did a decent job inducing grounders (45.8 percent) and limiting walks (2.68 per nine), he posted a paltry 3.84 K/9 that made it difficult for him to deliver quality results with the Marlins.
Given that he’s out of options, the 26-year-old Nicolino will either have to stick on the Reds’ roster or head back to the waiver wire. He could open the season as a long reliever in Cincinnati’s bullpen (depth chart).
Loria’s finest
Who’s pitching for MIA?
According to Roster Resource their Rotation is Urena, Odrisamer Despaigne, Jacob Turner, Caleb Smith and Elieser Hernandez and the bullpen is Ziegler, Barraclough, Streckenrider, Junichi, Tayron Guerrero, O’Grady and Javy Guerra
One thing to note, however, is that the Marlins have a few close to big league ready pitching prospects that could make the rotation considerably more serviceable come mid-season.
Honestly I could make the Marlins’ rotation more serviceable than it is right now and I pitched a grand total of one inning when I was in high school
Me too and I’m a freshman in high school.
Me too, and I play ultimate frisbee, not baseball.
Me too, and I am a frisbee.
This is slightly reminiscent of the Dan Straily waiver claim pre-2016- which was the Reds’ front offices’ strongest series of actions since beginning the rebuild (getting a waiver claim, and trading him for a significant return when his value peaked).
The biggest difference, however, is the fact that Straily had the ability to strike batters out.
Nicolino is too good to give up on. He’ll find his way as a Major League starter eventually probably a #4 in the rotation. Tough piece to lose for nothing. I hope what the Marlins kept instead of Nicolino is better. #Scoutseyes.
You have never seen him pitch
“Nicolino debuted in 2015 and saw extensive action in Miami through last season, but he only managed a 4.65 ERA/4.84 FIP across 201 1/3 innings (50 appearances, 33 starts).
Lots of opportunity to him him pitch.
You have NEVER been a scout or manager! #STOPTHELIES
This is the perfect time in his career for a change of scenery. Nicolino will get every opportunity to relieve and eventually start for the Reds, though GABP is a tough venue in which to succeed especially after pitching in Marlins’ Park.
Andrew Miller, Brad Hand, Marlins have a history of giving up to early on lefty pitching prospects. Knowing their luck, Nicolino will end up becoming a high end closer
doubt he can be a closer 3k’s per 9 in his MLB career