Nick Lodolo
| Evaluator: | Burke Granger |
| Report Date: | June 9th, 2018 |
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Selected 41st overall by the Pirates in the 2016 draft, Lodolo turned down a reported $1.75 million bonus, choosing instead to honor his commitment to TCU. He became an instant contributor for the Horned Frogs, seizing a weekend rotation spot early on that he’d never relinquish. His first spring in Fort Worth, Lodolo pitched to a 5-1 record with a 4.32 ERA on his way to earning Freshman All-American honors. Working as the Friday starter in his sophomore season this spring, Lodolo posted similar numbers (7-4, 4.35 ERA), though he missed more bats, increasing his strikeout-per-nine rate from 8.24 to 10.87 year over year. High-waisted and long limbed, Lodolo has a projectable body with room to add strength as he matures. He challenges hitters on the inner half of the plate with a fastball that sits at 92-to-95 mph. His best secondary offering is a mid-70s breaking ball, with moderate depth and 1-to-7 movement, and he also shows feel for a mid-80s change piece. As he prepares for 2019, Lodolo is well positioned to be a day one draftee for a second time in three years. |
