Flashing dominance, but battling walks. Pirates reliever Kyle Nicolas aims to finally harness his talent and find elusive consistency on the mound.
Kyle Nicolas can be so tantalizing.
The Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever has shown flashes of dominance during his three seasons in the major leagues. However, Nicolas has been hit hard at other times. And, always it seems, the 26-year-old has a difficult time throwing strikes.
Nicolas knows the only thing consistent over his 86 big league appearances is that he has been inconsistent. One step forward, then one step back. Nicolas is still trying to find a way to smooth things out, especially his career average of 4.9 walks per nine innings.
“It’s been a lot of focusing on that, just trying to fill up the zone with everything I can,” Nicolas said. “Not expanding the zone, going for chase or anything. Just challenging hitters more. It’s more of the mindset, making them put the ball in play. That’s been my focus all offseason.”
Whether Nicolas can find the answer this year in spring training remains to be seen. But pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton, Fla., in less than two weeks, with the first workout on Feb. 11.
Nicolas had a difficult season last year, and it went beyond the mound. His father died suddenly, and the mental toll likely had something to do with his 4.74 ERA in 31 games that came after he had a solid 3.95 ERA in 51 games as a rookie in 2024. Nicolas also pitched in 30 games for Triple-A Indianapolis last year after spending almost the entire previous season in the major leagues.
“A lot of experience, how to bounce back,” Nicolas said when asked about what he learned last season. “Just having the up-and-down season that I had, it built mental strength for me. I’m ready to show that going forward into this year.”
Nicolas, if he makes the team, figures to join Sean Lawrence as middle relievers for the Pirates. Dennis Santana is the closer and will be set up by right-hander Isaac Mattson and left-hander Gregory Soto, a two-time All-Star who was signed to a one-year, $7.75-million contract last month as a free agent. Pittsburgh also acquired a second hard-throwing lefty, Mason Montgomery, in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19.
“It’s always exciting adding new guys to the bullpen, especially two lefties who throw 100 (mph),” Nicolas said. “That’s pretty sick. I’m just trying to play my part. I know we have a lot of good pitchers on the team. Especially in the bullpen, there’s only so many spots. Things will work themselves out. I’m just excited to get into spring training with the guys and see what everybody’s got. It’s going to be fun.”
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