We got to Ball State for number 49 on our list in right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas.
In 2018 he pitched in 15 games for Ball State and posted a 5.21 ERA in 57 innings with 55 strikeouts, but he walked 44 batters.
That summer he had a 2.01 ERA in the Valley League with 19 strikeouts and 17 walks in 22.1 innings.
He was limited to just 5.2 innings at Ball State in his sophomore season, but he did show some promise this past summer in the Cape Cod League.
There he posted a 6.29 ERA in 24.1 innings with 31 strikeouts and 4 saves. He continued to struggle with command issuing 21 free passes.
This is certainly an upside pick as Nicolas has the stuff with a mid 90s fastball and plus slider, but he’s yet to put it all together.
If he can find a third pitch and command, he could be a dominant starter. At the very least, he has the potential to be a lights out closer at the next level.
