Miami Marlins Pick Third Pitcher in Three Picks

With the first pick in the Competitive balance “B” round, the Miami Marlins take right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas.

Kyle Nicolas is a six-foot-four, 225 lb. right-hander from Massillon, OH. Born on February 22, 1999, he played three years of division 1 collegiate baseball with the Ball State Cardinals. In 17 career appearances, he’s gone 2-5 with a 5.50 ERA.

Nicolas’ more recent stats, racked up in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, would see him post a 0.96 WHIP in 23 innings over four starts, with 37 strikeouts for an elite-level 14.48 K/9.

The Miami Marlins are really leaning into pitching this draft, with three power pitchers taken with their first three selections. They chose RHP Max Meyer out of the University of Minnesota with the third overall choice last night, then followed with big lefty Daxton Fulton out of Mustang High School in Oklahoma with the 40th choice, in the second round earlier today.

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The 61st choice in this draft is tied to a slot-value of $1,129,700. Players taken with the 61st overall choice have made it to the major leagues on 31 of 55 occasions through the modern era. The WAR leader of the group, by far, is left-handed pitcher Ken Holtzman, taken in the fourth round of the 1965 draft by the Chicago Cubs.

Nicolas is the sixth Ball State alum taken by the Marlins in the draft. They’re previously selected catcher Doug Boone in the 15th round in 2001, outfielder Ben Schroeder in the 26th round in 2003, LHP Nestor Bautista in the 32nd round in 2014, C Jarett Rindfleisch in the ninth round in 2016, and pitcher John Baker in the 29th round last season.

The Miami Marlins don’t have long to wait until their third round pick. Will they continue the trend and go all pitching this year? Thanks for reading.