Nick
Nastrini

Nastrini was a big-name recruit who was limited to 19.2 innings as a freshman in 2019 due to thoracic outlet syndrome. But he returned to action strong in the Cape Cod League that summer, then put together a promising 2020 campaign before the pandemic cut the season short. Nastrini has an ideal pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-3, 204 pounds, with an old-school over-the-head windup and an easy, repeatable arm action. Like many UCLA pitchers before him, Nastrini excels at pitching up in the zone with riding life on his 90-93 fastball (which has bumped 95), helping him induce numerous harmless pop-outs. He also has advanced feel for his secondary stuff: a solid-average 81-82 mph changeup with good arm speed and sink that he can throw against righties as well as lefties, and a 79-83 mph slider with big, sharp two-plane break. The slider sometimes looks like a power curveball, and it flashes plus when he’s really got it going. Nastrini has a legitimate starter’s profile, and his velocity figures to climb as he matures.

8/13/19:Nastrini was a big-name recruit who was limited to 19.2 innings as a freshman this spring due to thoracic outlet syndrome. But he has returned to action strong this summer, showing no ill effects. He limited Brewster to one run in five quality innings last week, attacking the strike zone at 88-92 mph from a straight over the top slot. Nastrini has an ideal pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-3, 204 pounds, with an old-school over-the-head windup and an easy, repeatable arm action. Like many UCLA pitchers before him, Nastrini excels at pitching up in the zone with riding life on his fastball, helping him induce numerous harmless pop-outs. He also has advanced feel for his secondary stuff: a 78-82 mph changeup with good arm speed and sink that he can throw against righties as well as lefties, and a tight breaking ball that ranges from 75-81, sometimes with 12-to-6 bite and other times with more lateral break — they might be two separate breaking balls that blend together. He has a legitimate starter’s profile, and his velocity figures to climb as he matures and gets farther removed from injury. (Fitt)

4/3/18 - 4/6/18 - 86-89 throughout the outing with his fastball working out of a high ¾ slot. Showed the ability to elevate late in counts. Demonstrated feel for his changeup with fastball arm speed at 76-78, and the pitch has a chance to be an above average offering moving forward. Slider was adequate pitch thrown for strikes at 74-77, and was better the harder he threw it. Athleticism should allow Nastrini to continue progressing moving forward as he stays linear down the mound, and the frame promises more velocity in the future.

8/10/17 - Fastball ticked up to 89-92. Allowed a hit in one inning pitched.

8/7/17 - Athletic, projectable frame. Very good changeup with sink. Bototm drops out. Curveball has depth. Hides the ball behind his hip. Fastball was 88-90. 75-78 curveball and 81-82 changeup. Struck out two in one inning pitched.