On November 29, 2021 the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired pitcher Kyle Nicolas along with pitcher Zach Thompson and outfielder Connor Scott for catcher Jacob Stallings.
Sportsvival got to sit down recently with Nicolas
Kyle Nicolas was born in Massillon, Ohio and attended Jackson High School, where he played baseball and basketball. He won state titles in both sports as a senior and was named the Federal League Co-Player of the Year in baseball after going 8-0 with a save and a 0.50 ERA on the mound.
Nicolas would play collegiately with Ball State for three seasons. As a junior, he went 0-1 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 6’3” 225 lbs pitcher was selected by the Miami Marlins 61st overall in the 2020 MLB draft.
In 2022, his first year as a Pirates farmhand, Nicolas made 24 appearances for Double-A Altoona Curve. He started 22 games and posted a 3.97 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 90 ⅔ innings.
In 2023, Nicolas made 35 appearances (18 starts) split between Double-A Altoona and the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, registering a cumulative 4-7 record with a 5.20 ERA with 127 strikeouts and 2 saves over 98 ⅔ innings.
The youngster had a strong 2024 season with the major league club. He made 51 appearances for Pittsburgh, compiling a 2-2 record with 3.95 ERA with 55 strikeouts across 54 ⅔ innings.
A little tidbit on Kyle Nicolas— he is the nephew of former Penn State and NFL quarterback Todd Blackledge.
Sportsvival got to sit down and talk with Kyle Nicolas recently:
Sportsvival- Were you a dominating pitcher right off the bat in high school?
Nicolas- “No, I was more of the shortstop/ second base type who hit a growth spurt in my junior season.”
Sportsvival- When did you start to realize you were a pitcher?
Nicolas- “I really didn’t throw in little league, I started to throw around 8th grade into my freshman season. I had a big sophomore season, and had my growth spurt that summer that seemed to bring everything together.”
Sportsvival- Did you play against any other future professional players or on the same team as any?
Nicolas- “Yeah I grew up with Dillon Dingler, he plays with the Tigers. He had some scouts come to all the games.”
Sportsvival- What age were you when you started throwing a “real” curveball?
Nicolas- “Probably sophomore-junior year. I was always able to spin a ball so it came natural to me. My dad never let me spin anything when I was a kid.”
Sportsvival- How was your draft day?
Nicolas- “It was only a five-round draft so I was a little worried still. I got a call from the scouting director from Miami, and I got to see my name on the screen with my parents which was a special moment.”
(photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)