Photo by: [Billy Hardiman Photography]
Nicolas Drafted By Miami Marlins, Readies For Next Step
June 10, 2020 | Baseball
In a normal year, the MLB Draft has 40 rounds. The 2019 draft saw 1,217 picks. Under unusual circumstances this year, a 5-round draft with only 160 picks, Ball State pitcher Kyle Nicolas was good enough to stand with the top prospects in the game. The recent BSU grad was selected in the 2nd round (61st overall) by the Miami Marlins.
Nicolas, a native of Massillon, Ohio, becomes the 70th player and 35th pitcher drafted out of Ball State, which features a history of eight first-round draft picks. Nicolas, who was named the top draft prospect in the state of Indiana by MLB, also becomes the 11th player in Ball State history to be selected in the first three rounds of the MLB Draft.
"We are excited for Kyle and for his opportunity to continue toward his dream of playing in the big league," head coach Rich Maloney said. "Kyle came to Ball State with many credits from high school so we set a lofty goal for him to earn his business degree in three years. To his credit, with hard work he accomplished this goal. It has been a privilege working with him and watching him grow from a young man into a man."
"It feels really good an satisfying. When I came to Ball State as a freshman, that's what I aimed to be," Nicolas said. "I wanted to play at the next level. The success Ball State and Coach Maloney have had is a big reason why I came here and it's humbling to join all of the Ball State greats."
FEATURE: Nicolas Helps Cotuit To Cape Cod Title
Nicolas pitched 135.1 innings over 42 appearances in his three Ball State seasons, racking up 174 strikeouts with six saves and four wins. He made four starts this spring before the season was discontinued, including a 17-strikeout effort in 7.0 innings on March 6. That was the last time he's played in a game, and admittedly, he hasn't enjoyed sitting on the sidelines this spring. He's been playing baseball for 17 years now, and the abbreviated 2020 season wasn't enough for him.
"I didn't like it at all," Nicolas said. "I miss being there with my Ball State teammates. It's been nice spending time with family but it's been tough not being able to compete with them."Â
Maloney noted the respect Nicolas earned from his teammates, voting him as the team's hardest worker.Â
"The values his parents instilled in him have been quite evident during his stay at Ball State. He is a first-class individual who will continue to represent his family and Ball State in a positive way. During his rise, he has remained humble and a great teammate," the head coach said. "Hats off to his pitching coaches Dustin Glant and Larry Scully on helping him. Kyle is now added to a long list of Ball State greats who have become a high draft pick."
Between morning workouts and playing cards and golf in the afternoons, Nicolas said he's kept in touch with his teammates and appreciated all the 'Good Luck' texts before the draft. After playing for three Ball State teams that combined for a 77-54 record and also pitching on a championship team in the Cape Cod League in 2019, Nicolas is ready for the next step in his baseball journey. Watching the MLB Draft at home with his immediate family in Ohio, he heard his name and he's excited to get his chance at pro baseball.Â
"With the season ending, I feel like I have a lot more to prove," he said. "I want to show more about the type of pitcher I am."
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Nicolas, a native of Massillon, Ohio, becomes the 70th player and 35th pitcher drafted out of Ball State, which features a history of eight first-round draft picks. Nicolas, who was named the top draft prospect in the state of Indiana by MLB, also becomes the 11th player in Ball State history to be selected in the first three rounds of the MLB Draft.
"We are excited for Kyle and for his opportunity to continue toward his dream of playing in the big league," head coach Rich Maloney said. "Kyle came to Ball State with many credits from high school so we set a lofty goal for him to earn his business degree in three years. To his credit, with hard work he accomplished this goal. It has been a privilege working with him and watching him grow from a young man into a man."
"It feels really good an satisfying. When I came to Ball State as a freshman, that's what I aimed to be," Nicolas said. "I wanted to play at the next level. The success Ball State and Coach Maloney have had is a big reason why I came here and it's humbling to join all of the Ball State greats."
FEATURE: Nicolas Helps Cotuit To Cape Cod Title
Nicolas pitched 135.1 innings over 42 appearances in his three Ball State seasons, racking up 174 strikeouts with six saves and four wins. He made four starts this spring before the season was discontinued, including a 17-strikeout effort in 7.0 innings on March 6. That was the last time he's played in a game, and admittedly, he hasn't enjoyed sitting on the sidelines this spring. He's been playing baseball for 17 years now, and the abbreviated 2020 season wasn't enough for him.
"I didn't like it at all," Nicolas said. "I miss being there with my Ball State teammates. It's been nice spending time with family but it's been tough not being able to compete with them."Â
Maloney noted the respect Nicolas earned from his teammates, voting him as the team's hardest worker.Â
"The values his parents instilled in him have been quite evident during his stay at Ball State. He is a first-class individual who will continue to represent his family and Ball State in a positive way. During his rise, he has remained humble and a great teammate," the head coach said. "Hats off to his pitching coaches Dustin Glant and Larry Scully on helping him. Kyle is now added to a long list of Ball State greats who have become a high draft pick."
Between morning workouts and playing cards and golf in the afternoons, Nicolas said he's kept in touch with his teammates and appreciated all the 'Good Luck' texts before the draft. After playing for three Ball State teams that combined for a 77-54 record and also pitching on a championship team in the Cape Cod League in 2019, Nicolas is ready for the next step in his baseball journey. Watching the MLB Draft at home with his immediate family in Ohio, he heard his name and he's excited to get his chance at pro baseball.Â
"With the season ending, I feel like I have a lot more to prove," he said. "I want to show more about the type of pitcher I am."
Seen anything good on TV? Here's our top recommendation.@kylenicolas19 @CoachMaloney @BTBeem24 @Marlins @BallState @PresidentMearns @CoachScully19 pic.twitter.com/pe02ONCbvS
— Ball State Baseball (@BallStateBB) June 12, 2020
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