Fewer innings, more fastball movement paying for Nicasio

ATLANTA — It took a failed stint in the starting rotation, but Juan Nicasio has found his niche in the Pirates' bullpen.

It's just not the role the organization had in mind when they signed him as a free agent in December 2015.

Nicasio has learned that less is better. Less innings that is. Instead of being used multiple innings and needing days of rest between appearances, the 30-year old has excelled in the back of the Pirates' bullpen and said he's never felt better during his career.



"It's just a better fit for me," Nicasio told DKPittsburghSports.com before the Pirates opened a four-game series Monday against the Braves at SunTrust Park.

The numbers support his statement. After retiring two batters in Sunday's loss to the Phillies, Nicasio has made 13 consecutive scoreless appearances dating back to April 25.

He's been scored upon just once in his past 16 appearances, and opponents are batting just .222 against him in 21 appearances this season. More important, their average is only .189 with runners in scoring position.

He's earned Clint Hurdle's trust, and was even mentioned as a possible closing option if Tony Watson or Felipe Rivero are unable to pitch the ninth inning on any given night.

"When was the last time he’s given up a run?" Hurdle asked reporters. "I think it’s been a while. He’s been aggressive."

His transformation is one that began nearly a year ago. Nicasio won a spot in the Pirates' starting rotation in spring training last year, but his time there did not last.

He made 12 starts to begin the season, winning five of those games with a 5.83 ERA and averaging 9.24 strikeouts per nine innings, but his walk rate remained high and his FIP was 4.93.

Hurdle handed him the role as long reliever and he found his niche. He made 13 appearances of two or more innings with a 2.96 ERA and 73 strikeouts to only 18 walks.

His turnaround took hold over the final month of the season, when he had 11 consecutive scoreless appearances. Only one of those trips to the mound lasted two innings.

"It's a big difference," Nicasio explained. "In that role I can be available most days. I don't need multiple days off. Sometimes I'm pitching three days in a row. When you're pitching everyday like that your body learns to recover quicker. I feel ready every time I go to the mound. It wasn't always like that."

The new role has helped Nicasio return to the form he discovered during his time with the Dodgers in 2015. Though his walk rate was far too high that season, Nicasio had a 3.86 ERA and a 2.83 FIP during his 53 appearances.

His fastball and slider were producing weak contact, leading to a high ground-ball rate and 10.03 strikeouts per nine innings. The Dodgers used him multiple innings only eight times the entire season.

Yet, the Pirates needed him as an option in the rotation with younger pitchers such as Chad Kuhl, Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow not yet ready for the major leagues. Their arrival — specifically Kuhl's — prompted the move to the bullpen.

He's only thrown multiple innings once this season.

"I like it so much," he said. "Sometimes I only need eight or nine pitches, and when I do something I didn't like I can get back out there the next time to work on it."

The role has Nicasio feeling more comfortable, but a minor adjustment on the mound is also a factor in his success. He's now living on the inside of the strike zone against both right-handers and left-handers, using his slider and split changeup to keep both honest.

He's 1-2 with a 1.37 ERA in 19 2/3 innings, and has not allowed a home run since last September. His fastball has reached 98 miles per hour and he's living on the low-inside corner with his slider against left-handed hitters.

Hurdle said the biggest difference, though, is the downward movement on Nicasio's fastball.

According to Fan Graphs, Nicasio's fastball has a groundball rate of 48.6 percent and the downward movement is the highest it has been in the major leagues.

"I think he’s gotten downhill angle on his fastball, which has made it harder to hit," Hurdle said. "He can elevate when he wants to. The velocity is real. The power is real. The slider can play extremely well for him at times to right-handers. I think the split changeup that he uses at times is something he’s used to combat left-handers."

That downward movement was a heavy point of emphasis for Nicasio during spring training. He worked with Ray Searage extensively to try to make the pitch less hittable. Part of the adjustment was the release point.

Niasio was releasing his fastball sooner, which often caused it to elevate more. A later release allows him to be more precise and accurate. Concentration does factor into the recent success, Nicasio said, but he's also pitching with more confidence.

That's allowed him to challenge left-handers more. Lefties hit 13 of the 15 home runs Nicasio allowed last year, but they are batting just .226 against him this season.

With the new role came high-leverage situations. Of the 10 runners Nicasio has inherited, only three have scored. He's thoroughly enjoying this run of success, but he's learned to never get too comfortable.

"One of these days he’s going to come to me and ask me to throw four innings or something," Nicasio joked. "I’m just ready for everything the team needs from me to win the game. I'm feeling good."