Rodolfo Nolasco

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE

2019
DSL:  302/373/472, 199 AB, 13 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 16 BB, 26 K, 3-7 SB

Nolasco had a strong debut, hitting for average and power, and making good contact.  He got off to just a solid start, but finished very strongly, posting a 1.005 OPS in August and finishing the season with a 12-for-22 run.

2020
DNP

2021
R:  284/409/552, 134 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 26 BB, 43 K

A little surprisingly, the Pirates sent Nolasco to the FCL rather than to Bradenton.  The reason may have been an injury in spring training.  He made a strong showing, with very good power, along with very high walk and K rates.  He played mostly in right, although he served as DH more often than he played in the outfield.

2022
A:  239/330/425, 280 AB, 15 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 37 BB, 109 K, 7-11 SB

Nolasco struggled through April and May, with an OPS of .526 and .623, respectively.  In June he started to hit, posting an OPS of .814, then in July he hit 341/455/796.  Unfortunately, he got hurt in the third week of the month and was able to play only five more games.  Nine of Nolasco’s 11 home runs came in 34 games in June and July.  Despite the bad two months, Nolasco’s slugging average was 64 points above league average.  The K rate, obviously, is borderline alarming.

Nolasco seemed to be turning into the hitter the Pirates probably were hoping to see when the injury happened in 2022.  He didn’t turn 21 until after the season, but he is Rule 5 eligible.