Nick Lodolo

A first-team Preseason All-American, Lodolo is one of the few high-profile college pitching prospects with a long track record of starting in college. After the Pirates drafted Lodolo with the 41st overall pick in 2016 but failed to sign him, Lodolo made his way to Texas Christian, where he started 15 games as both as freshman and sophomore. Despite his durability, Lodolo was more solid than spectacular, posting a 4.35 ERA in 2017 and a 4.32 mark in 2018. He allowed more hits than scouts expected given his solid stuff, capped off by allowing more than 9.3 hits per nine innings as a sophomore. Lodolo has taken an impressive step forward as a junior, however. A 6-foot-6, 180-pound lefthander who still has room to fill out, Lodolo has pitched mostly off of two pitches this spring—a low-90s fastball that touches 94-95 mph with solid running life out of a lower arm slot and a sweepy breaking ball that flashes the makings of a plus pitch but needs more consistency. As a sophomore, Lodolo regularly showcased a changeup that had plus potential as well, but as his fastball command improved this spring (his walk rate went from 3.27 walks per nine innings in 2017 to 1.65 per nine through his first 10 starts in 2019), he has used the changeup less often. Lodolo’s stuff isn’t quite as loud as the typical top college starter of a draft class, but he is a high-probability major leaguer with above-average control of three pitches that are current average offerings but could be plus pitches in the future. He still has more projection than the typical three-year collegiate arm thanks to a lean body that can add more weight, and he was one of the best performers in the country through his first seven starts of the season before hitting a slight speed bump in April. Lodolo is a no-doubt starter who has proven to be a reliable Big 12 arm, but he profiles as a middle-of-the-rotation starter more than a No. 1 or No. 2 starter in the majors.