Nick Kingham: The Forgotten Pirate Pitching Prospect

In 2016 the Pirates have watched pitching prospects such as Jameson Taillon, Tyler Glasnow, Chad Kuhl, and Steven Brault graduate to the Major Leagues. However, one pitching prospect remains a forgotten man. This prospect is Nick Kingham.

When Spring Training ended in 2015 a right-handed Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching prospect appeared to be on the verge of the Major Leagues. However, this pitcher would log just 31 1/3 innings at Triple-A before requiring Tommy John Surgery. This pitcher was Nick Kingham.

Entering the 2015 season Nick Kingham was one of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top five prospects. Furthermore, Kingham was also a top 100 prospect in all of baseball. Prior to the start of the 2015 season MLB.com ranked Kingham as the 74th best prospect in all of baseball, while Baseball Prospectus ranked Kingham 67th.

Nick Kingham started the 2015 season at Triple-A. However, all signs pointed to Kingham earning a call up to the Major Leagues once the Super Two threshold passed in early June. Unfortunately for Kingham, injury would derail these plans.

After making just six starts for Triple-A, it was announced that Nick Kingham would required season ending Tommy John Surgery. If not for this surgery, most likely, Kingham would have been promoted to the Major Leagues at some point last summer.

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Before getting injured Nick Kingham was pitching well at Triple-A. In 31 1/3 innings pitched he was averaging 9.19 K/9, 2.01 BB/9, and 0.86 HR/9. Furthermore, he owned a WHIP of 1.30 and a 3.22 FIP.

Due to Tommy John recovery, Nick Kingham missed most of the first three months of the 2016 season. However, in late June Kingham started rehabbing in the Minor Leagues. And, so far, he has picked up right where he left off pre-injury.

It is due to this Tommy John Surgery that Nick Kingham has become a bit of a forgotten man among Pirates’ fans. That is something that needs to change, though. Since returning from surgery in late June, Kingham has been excellent in his rehab outings.

So far in 2016 Nick Kingham has made nine Minor League rehab starts. These three starts have come between the Pirates’ Rookie League Team, High-A Bradenton, and Double-A Altoona. And these three starts have gone better than anyone, even Kingham, could have ever hoped.

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Nick Kingham has pitched 41 innings in these nine starts. In these 41 innings pitched Kingham is averaging 6.59 K/9, 0.66 BB/9, he owns a 0.90 WHIP, and he has not allowed a home run. As a result of these strong numbers Kingham owns a 1.98 ERA and a 2.54 FIP.

Throughout his Minor League career Nick Kingham has always been known for great control. Prior to his surgery Kingham had pitched 534 2/3 Minor League innings. In these 534 2/3 innings he was averaging just 2.59 BB/9. This, obviously, shows great control.

Kingham is a pitcher that sits in the low-to-mid 90s on his fastball. However, he has exceptional fastball command. Kingham also throws a plus curve ball which is his bread and butter pitch. Kingham also throws a good change up.

Nick Kingham is a pitcher that is, most likely, Major League ready. The only reason he has not reached the Major Leagues yet is due to injury. Now that Kingham is healthy and rehabbing I expect him to play a big role in the Pirates’ 2017 starting rotation.

The future of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation is very bright. Jameson Taillon, Tyler Glasnow, and Chad Kuhl are usually the first three pitchers fans think of when thinking of the future of the Pirates’ rotation. However, despite being a bit of a forgotten man, Nick Kingham will play a large role in the future of the Pirate rotation as well.