Nick Nastrini

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #3 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: The 2023 trade deadline deal that brought Nastrini and Double-A reliever Jordan Leasure from the Dodgers for veteran pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly may turn out to be Chicago’s best trade of the year. Drafted in the fourth round in 2021, Nastrini pitched at Double-A for the Dodgers in 2023 and reached Triple-A Charlotte after the trade. That was an impressive feat for a pitcher who was dropped from the UCLA rotation late in 2021 with a case of the yips. The Dodgers got Nastrini back on track in pro ball, where he has flashed an outstanding fastball with a trio of average to above-average pitches. In his career he has compensated for elevated walk rates--11% for his career--with top-flight strikeout rates, including a mark near 28% in 2023.
  
  Scouting Report: Nastrini has a four-pitch arsenal that he can throw for strikes and get swings-and-misses. His riding fastball sits 93-97 mph with tail and run, and he often uses it at the top of the zone. His heater is paired with an above-average 78-80 mph curveball down in the zone. The pitch has 12-to-6 break and some bite. Nastrini’s 87 mph slider has tilt and depth, sometimes playing more like a cutter, and it gets chases from righthanded hitters. He pairs it with a mid-80s changeup that is effective against lefthanders. Nastrini has a polished, repeatable delivery but at times gets too upright and needs to stay consistent.
  
  The Future: With the potential to be a No. 3 or 4 starter, Nastrini will likely reach Chicago at some point in 2024. He might have already made his MLB debut late in 2023 had he remained with the contending Dodgers, who suffered a rash of rotation injuries, but regardless he won’t have to wait much longer.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #9 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Nastrini arrived at UCLA as a top recruit out of San Diego's Cathedral Catholic High and grew into premium stuff as he gained strength and maturity. He entered his junior year with the Bruins considered a potential first-rounder, but he suffered a horrendous case of the yips and was dropped from the rotation by April. The Dodgers decided to take a shot on Nastrini's raw stuff and drafted him in the fourth round in 2021, signing him for $497,500. He rediscovered his control and composure under the Dodgers' instruction and flew up to Double-A in his first full season in 2022. He led the Dodgers' system with 169 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .178 average, third-lowest in the minor leagues.
  
  Scouting Report: Nastrini is a physical, 6-foot-3 righthander with power stuff. His fastball sits 94-95 mph and touches 98 with above-average ride and extension that helps it play as a borderline plus-plus pitch, especially at the top of the strike zone. His short, vertical slider in the mid 80s flashes above-average with late drop below barrels, and his fading mid-80s changeup is an average pitch that is more consistent than his slider. He added an 80-83 mph power curveball late in the year that is fringy now but has a chance to improve with more development. Nastrini has a polished, repeatable delivery, but he tends to be too methodical in his tempo and mechanics, leading to below-average control. He is best when he works quickly and lets his natural athleticism take over on the mound.
  
  The Future: Nastrini's loud stuff and improved control give him a chance to be a No. 4 starter if he can maintain his strides. He will open 2023 at Double-A and has an outside chance to reach the majors during the season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 45. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #16 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Nastrini entered his junior year at UCLA considered a potential first-round pick, but he suffered the yips and walked 38 batters in 31.1 innings. The Dodgers still took a shot on his potent stuff and drafted him in the fourth round, signing him for an above-slot $497,500. Nastrini rediscovered his control as a pro and dominated in six starts at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, then became the talk of instructional league with a sensational showing.
  
  Scouting Report: Nastrini is a sturdy, physical righthander who flashes three plus or better pitches. His fastball sits 92-96 mph as a starter with high spin rates at the top of the strike zone. His short, tight 84-88 mph slider is a plus pitch that tunnels well off his fastball and his 78-82 mph, high-spin curveball with depth and sweep is another plus offering. His firm, 87-88 mph changeup with split action is developing. Nastrini’s control is the wild card. He is a good athlete with a polished delivery and threw strikes in the past, but he presently has well below-average control and has some mental hurdles to overcome.
  
  The Future: The Dodgers are optimistic Nastini will find his way back and become a mid-rotation starter. His first big test will come at High-A Great Lakes in 2022.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #216 prospect in 2021 draft
  Nastrini drew considerable draft interest in high school as a projectable righthander with a polished delivery. He grew into his projected velocity at UCLA and entered the year considered one of the best pitching prospects on the West Coast, but his control deteriorated rapidly in what became a miserable season. Nastrini walked 38 batters and threw nine wild pitches in 31.1 innings. He was demoted from the rotation to the bullpen in April and made only one appearance the final month of the season. Nastrini has grown into a big, physical righthander with plenty of stuff. A sturdy 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Nastrini has a fastball that ranges from 92-96 mph as a starter, touches 98 in relief and plays up with high spin rates at the top of the strike zone. He has feel for a potentially plus changeup and his breaking ball has flashed plus at its best, although it is inconsistent and will get caught in between a slider and curveball. While there is no doubting Nastrini’s stuff, his inability to find the strike zone got worse as the year went on, to the point most observers believe he has the yips. He failed to record an out in either of his final two outings, walking all three batters he faced and throwing two wild pitches. Nastrini is a good athlete who threw strikes in the past, so teams are hopeful they can build his confidence back up and get him back to his previous form.
• Ranked #370 prospect in 2018 draft
  Nastrini emerged as one of the top prep pitchers in San Diego County as a senior, starring at the Boras Classic and going 8-2, 2.42 while playing in San Diego's top division. Nastrini has always performed well against good competition and progressively got more physical as he got older. He now boasts a promising pitcher's body at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. Nastrini is athletic, projectable and repeats his simple, polished delivery, but he lacks present stuff. His fastball sits 86-89 mph and will scrape an occasional 91-92. His build, delivery and clean arm action portend to more velocity, but it hasn't yet come. Nastrini throws his changeup with confidence and he spins a solid curveball, showing the ability to land both for strikes. Nastrini's lack of velocity has evaluators wary of sending him out to pro ball at this point, even if they like his long-term potential. He is committed to UCLA and will be an expensive sign.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Nastrini arrived at UCLA as a top recruit out of San Diego's Cathedral Catholic High and grew into premium stuff as he gained strength and maturity. He entered his junior year with the Bruins considered a potential first-rounder, but he suffered a horrendous case of the yips and was dropped from the rotation by April. The Dodgers decided to take a shot on Nastrini's raw stuff and drafted him in the fourth round in 2021, signing him for $497,500. He rediscovered his control and composure under the Dodgers' instruction and flew up to Double-A in his first full season in 2022. He led the Dodgers' system with 169 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .178 average, third-lowest in the minor leagues.
  
  Scouting Report: Nastrini is a physical, 6-foot-3 righthander with power stuff. His fastball sits 94-95 mph and touches 98 with above-average ride and extension that helps it play as a borderline plus-plus pitch, especially at the top of the strike zone. His short, vertical slider in the mid 80s flashes above-average with late drop below barrels, and his fading mid-80s changeup is an average pitch that is more consistent than his slider. He added an 80-83 mph power curveball late in the year that is fringy now but has a chance to improve with more development. Nastrini has a polished, repeatable delivery, but he tends to be too methodical in his tempo and mechanics, leading to below-average control. He is best when he works quickly and lets his natural athleticism take over on the mound.
  
  The Future: Nastrini's loud stuff and improved control give him a chance to be a No. 4 starter if he can maintain his strides. He will open 2023 at Double-A and has an outside chance to reach the majors during the season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 45. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Nastrini arrived at UCLA as a top recruit out of San Diego's Cathedral Catholic High and grew into premium stuff as he gained strength and maturity. He entered his junior year with the Bruins considered a potential first-rounder, but he suffered a horrendous case of the yips and was dropped from the rotation by April. The Dodgers decided to take a shot on Nastrini's raw stuff and drafted him in the fourth round in 2021, signing him for $497,500. He rediscovered his control and composure under the Dodgers' instruction and flew up to Double-A in his first full season in 2022. He led the Dodgers' system with 169 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .178 average, third-lowest in the minor leagues.
  
  Scouting Report: Nastrini is a physical, 6-foot-3 righthander with power stuff. His fastball sits 94-95 mph and touches 98 with above-average ride and extension that helps it play as a borderline plus-plus pitch, especially at the top of the strike zone. His short, vertical slider in the mid 80s flashes above-average with late drop below barrels, and his fading mid-80s changeup is an average pitch that is more consistent than his slider. He added an 80-83 mph power curveball late in the year that is fringy now but has a chance to improve with more development. Nastrini has a polished, repeatable delivery, but he tends to be too methodical in his tempo and mechanics, leading to below-average control. He is best when he works quickly and lets his natural athleticism take over on the mound.
  
  The Future: Nastrini's loud stuff and improved control give him a chance to be a No. 4 starter if he can maintain his strides. He will open 2023 at Double-A and has an outside chance to reach the majors during the season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Curveball: 45. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Nastrini entered his junior year at UCLA considered a potential first-round pick, but he suffered the yips and walked 38 batters in 31.1 innings. The Dodgers still took a shot on his potent stuff and drafted him in the fourth round, signing him for an above-slot $497,500. Nastrini rediscovered his control as a pro and dominated in six starts at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, then became the talk of instructional league with a sensational showing.
  
  Scouting Report: Nastrini is a sturdy, physical righthander who flashes three plus or better pitches. His fastball sits 92-96 mph as a starter with high spin rates at the top of the strike zone. His short, tight 84-88 mph slider is a plus pitch that tunnels well off his fastball and his 78-82 mph, high-spin curveball with depth and sweep is another plus offering. His firm, 87-88 mph changeup with split action is developing. Nastrini&#39s control is the wild card. He is a good athlete with a polished delivery and threw strikes in the past, but he presently has well below-average control and has some mental hurdles to overcome.
  
  The Future: The Dodgers are optimistic Nastini will find his way back and become a mid-rotation starter. His first big test will come at High-A Great Lakes in 2022.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Nastrini entered his junior year at UCLA considered a potential first-round pick, but he suffered the yips and walked 38 batters in 31.1 innings. The Dodgers still took a shot on his potent stuff and drafted him in the fourth round, signing him for an above-slot $497,500. Nastrini rediscovered his control as a pro and dominated in six starts at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, then became the talk of instructional league with a sensational showing.
  
  Scouting Report: Nastrini is a sturdy, physical righthander who flashes three plus or better pitches. His fastball sits 92-96 mph as a starter with high spin rates at the top of the strike zone. His short, tight 84-88 mph slider is a plus pitch that tunnels well off his fastball and his 78-82 mph, high-spin curveball with depth and sweep is another plus offering. His firm, 87-88 mph changeup with split action is developing. Nastrini’s control is the wild card. He is a good athlete with a polished delivery and threw strikes in the past, but he presently has well below-average control and has some mental hurdles to overcome.
  
  The Future: The Dodgers are optimistic Nastini will find his way back and become a mid-rotation starter. His first big test will come at High-A Great Lakes in 2022.