The Pittsburgh Pirates signing of Juan Nicasio may seem all too familiar to Pirates fans.
Nicasio is a hard throwing reliever with a high strikeout rate. He’s had control issues in the past. He was acquired for next to nothing (one year, $3 million deal).
Last season Arquimedes Caminero fit that mold. Before Caminero it was Mark Melancon – though Joel Hanrahan was decent return at the time. Before Melancon is was Jason Grilli.
If there is one thing general manager Neal Huntington and pitching coach Ray Searage have had success with it is turning one team’s pitching trash into Pirates’ treasure, especially in the bullpen.
It would not be surprising if Nicasio is next on the list.
Nicasio struggled as a starter from 2011-2014 with the Colorado Rockies before spending 2015 in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen. He had a 3.86 ERA in 58 1/3 innings in 53 appearances, one of them a start.
The 29-year-old right-hander mixes a fastball that averages 96 MPH with an 86-87 MPH slider and a changeup, according to Pitch f/x data. He used that arsenal of pitches to put up a 10 K/9 ratio in 2015. Nicasio also only gave up one home run in 2015, which contributed to his respectable 2.83 FIP.
One possible red flag with Nicasio’s 2015 numbers was his 4.9 BB/9 ratio. It is worth noting that he intentionally walked six batters, which would have been tied for the most on the Pirates last season. But his walk rate would still have been around 10 percent when not including the intentional walks.
Regardless, considering the Pirates’ and Searage’s track record of fixing control issues with hard-throwing relievers by tinkering with their mechanics it would not be a surprise to see Nicasio’s walk numbers come down in 2016.
It remains to be seen where Nicasio fits in with a crowded Pirates’ bullpen in 2016. The Pirates return Tony Watson, Jared Hughes and Caminero, plus Mark Melancon if he does not get traded. They also have Bobby LaFromboise, Allen Webster and Jorge Rondon, all of whom are out of options. Rob Scahill and Guido Knudson are also candidates.
Nicasio may compete with Caminero and Hughes to be the team’s seventh inning pitcher, or possible setup man if Melancon is dealt and Watson becomes the closer. Nicasio also could serve as a middle reliever that could start in an emergency situation.
There will be uncertainty in the bullpen if Melancon is dealt, but the Pirates are adding pieces to help lessen the blow if he does not return.
And they have thrived on building and re-building their bullpen by adding pitchers like Nicasio.
