Rodolfo Nolasco

RODOLFO NOLASCO, CORNER OUTFIELDER
Born: September 23, 2001
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 175
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2018, Pittsburgh Pirates
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Nolasco was a six-figure signing for the Pirates on the first day of the 2018-19 signing period.  He’s a corner outfielder who had the best exit velocity of any of their hitters in the DSL in his first season.  He runs reasonably well for his size and has a strong arm.

2019
DSL:  302/373/472, 199 AB, 13 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 16 BB, 26 K, 3-7 SB

Nolasco had a strong debut, hitting for average and power, and making good contact.  He got off to just a solid start, but finished very strongly, posting a 1.005 OPS in August and finishing the season with a 12-for-22 run.

2020
DNP

2021
R:  284/409/552, 134 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 26 BB, 43 K

A little surprisingly, the Pirates sent Nolasco to the FCL rather than to Bradenton.  The reason may have been an injury in spring training.  He made a strong showing, with very good power, along with very high walk and K rates.  He played mostly in right, although he served as DH more often than he played in the outfield.

2022
A:  239/330/425, 280 AB, 15 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 37 BB, 109 K, 7-11 SB

Nolasco struggled through April and May, with an OPS of .526 and .623, respectively.  In June he started to hit, posting an OPS of .814, then in July he hit 341/455/796.  Unfortunately, he got hurt in the third week of the month and was able to play only five more games.  Nine of Nolasco’s 11 home runs came in 34 games in June and July.  Despite the bad two months, Nolasco’s slugging average was 64 points above league average.  The K rate, obviously, is borderline alarming.

Nolasco seemed to be turning into the hitter the Pirates probably were hoping to see when the injury happened in 2022.  He didn’t turn 21 until after the season, but he is Rule 5 eligible.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $235,000
MiLB Debut: 2019
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2025
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2022
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 2, 2018: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.