Pirates pitcher can take massive step forward if reverse split trend normalizes

The Pirates bullpen has had gone through ups and downs this season. Inconsistency from multiple relievers has prevented this group from being elite. One particular arm that has struggled this season is young right hander Kyle Nicolas.

Nicolas has an excellent mix of pitches, but one thing that has prevented him from taking the next step as a solid major league reliever is his control. Throughout his career in the majors and minors, Nicolas has walked an abundance of batters. In MLB this season, he has a 15.1% walk percentage. In Triple-A, he has a 20.5% walk percentage. Both are exceptionally high and have prevented him from being a top pitcher in the Pirates bullpen.

His lack of control has led him to numbers that have seemed to warrant to a demotion back to Indianapolis. On the season, Nicolas has an 0-1 record with an ERA of 5.40 in 16.2 IP and has struck out 23 batters. Opponents are batting .200 against him, but his 1.38 WHIP is elevated because of the walks.

Although his control has not been great, the pitches themselves are still very good. His fastball sits in the high 90s and has been his best pitch. Although it generates the lowest whiff rates out of his three at 26.2%, opponents have an expected batting average of .157 against it. His slider is also very good as it has a 36.8% whiff rate and opponents have an expected batting average of .206 against it. His curveball is seems to work in extremes; it has a whiff rate of 56.3%, but opponents have an expected batting average of .377 against it.

Nicolas has all the tools to be a good pitcher, but the control has really prevented him from taking the next step. Despite that, he has some interesting splits. If he can balance them out, he could be a more effective tool out of the bullpen.

Kyle Nicholas' home-away splits hint at what's keeping him from being an elite reliever for the Pirates

Nicolas' control has been poor, but he has been dominant when pitching on the road. In away games this season, he has a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched and has struck out 14 batters. Opponents are also hitting .107 against him and he has a WHIP of 0.69.

Those away numbers are excellent, but at home has been the complete opposite. In home games, Nicolas has an ERA of 10.13 in eight innings pitched and has struck out nine batters. Opponents are batting .290 against him and his WHIP is at 2.13.

Although it is a small sample size for each, it is significant given how little time relievers have to prove themselves in a season. If Nicolas can start performing at home like he does on the road, along with showing some consistent control over his pitches, then he could turn into a very solid reliever for the Pirates.