Rodolfo Nolasco

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #27 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Nolasco was part of a Pirates 2018 international signing class that included players like Dariel Lopez, Alexander Mojica and Luis Ortiz, but injuries slowed his development compared to his peers. He made his full-season debut in 2022, hitting 11 homers in 77 games for Low-A Bradenton sandwiched around two trips to the injured list.
  
  Scouting Report: Nolasco's physicality and raw strength has always separated him from other players his age. It results in wicked bat speed, top-end exit velocities and gargantuan home runs. There still are questions about whether he'll make enough contact to consistently utilize his plus power. Nolasco struck out 34% of the time in Bradenton. Like plenty of inexperienced hitters, he needs to improve his pitch recognition and can stray from his approach, although he has a solid understanding of the strike zone. Nolasco showed signs of improvement in July--he hit five homers with nearly as many walks as strikeouts over 13 games--until an injury essentially ended his season. Nolasco isn't the most fleet of foot defensively and is most comfortable playing right field, where he has average potential and can utilize his plus throwing arm.
  
  The Future: His hit tool remains unrefined, but it's easy to dream on Nolasco's power. He needs more seasoning in the low minors in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 35. Power: 70. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Pittsburgh signed Nolasco for $235,000 in 2018 after he stood out for his raw power, and he performed well in his first taste of Rookie ball in 2019. A spring training injury delayed Nolasco’s season in 2021, and the Pirates opted to keep him in the Florida Complex League. Nolasco showed power, homering eight times and leading the FCL in slugging (.552).
  
  Scouting Report: Nolasco’s raw power rivals any hitter in Pittsburgh’s system. He’s physically strong and continues to add strength to his frame, resulting in ample bat speed. He crushes fastballs when he’s on time. Nolasco also shows breaking ball recognition, but his swing mechanics suggest he will always have to manage swing-and-miss. He struck out 26% of the time in the FCL. Nolasco will likely be a below-average runner as he matures, limiting him to a corner outfield spot. He split time between right field and DH in 2021.
  
  The Future: Nolasco is a long way away, but few 20-year-olds can match his raw power. He’s ready for Low-A Bradenton in 2022.
  

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Nolasco was part of a Pirates 2018 international signing class that included players like Dariel Lopez, Alexander Mojica and Luis Ortiz, but injuries slowed his development compared to his peers. He made his full-season debut in 2022, hitting 11 homers in 77 games for Low-A Bradenton sandwiched around two trips to the injured list.
  
  Scouting Report: Nolasco's physicality and raw strength has always separated him from other players his age. It results in wicked bat speed, top-end exit velocities and gargantuan home runs. There still are questions about whether he'll make enough contact to consistently utilize his plus power. Nolasco struck out 34% of the time in Bradenton. Like plenty of inexperienced hitters, he needs to improve his pitch recognition and can stray from his approach, although he has a solid understanding of the strike zone. Nolasco showed signs of improvement in July--he hit five homers with nearly as many walks as strikeouts over 13 games--until an injury essentially ended his season. Nolasco isn't the most fleet of foot defensively and is most comfortable playing right field, where he has average potential and can utilize his plus throwing arm.
  
  The Future: His hit tool remains unrefined, but it's easy to dream on Nolasco's power. He needs more seasoning in the low minors in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 35. Power: 70. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Nolasco was part of a Pirates 2018 international signing class that included players like Dariel Lopez, Alexander Mojica and Luis Ortiz, but injuries slowed his development compared to his peers. He made his full-season debut in 2022, hitting 11 homers in 77 games for Low-A Bradenton sandwiched around two trips to the injured list.
  
  Scouting Report: Nolasco's physicality and raw strength has always separated him from other players his age. It results in wicked bat speed, top-end exit velocities and gargantuan home runs. There still are questions about whether he'll make enough contact to consistently utilize his plus power. Nolasco struck out 34% of the time in Bradenton. Like plenty of inexperienced hitters, he needs to improve his pitch recognition and can stray from his approach, although he has a solid understanding of the strike zone. Nolasco showed signs of improvement in July--he hit five homers with nearly as many walks as strikeouts over 13 games--until an injury essentially ended his season. Nolasco isn't the most fleet of foot defensively and is most comfortable playing right field, where he has average potential and can utilize his plus throwing arm.
  
  The Future: His hit tool remains unrefined, but it's easy to dream on Nolasco's power. He needs more seasoning in the low minors in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 35. Power: 70. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Pittsburgh signed Nolasco for $235,000 in 2018 after he stood out for his raw power, and he performed well in his first taste of Rookie ball in 2019. A spring training injury delayed Nolasco’s season in 2021, and the Pirates opted to keep him in the Florida Complex League. Nolasco showed power, homering eight times and leading the FCL in slugging (.552).
  
  Scouting Report: Nolasco’s raw power rivals any hitter in Pittsburgh’s system. He’s physically strong and continues to add strength to his frame, resulting in ample bat speed. He crushes fastballs when he’s on time. Nolasco also shows breaking ball recognition, but his swing mechanics suggest he will always have to manage swing-and-miss. He struck out 26% of the time in the FCL. Nolasco will likely be a below-average runner as he matures, limiting him to a corner outfield spot. He split time between right field and DH in 2021.
  
  The Future: Nolasco is a long way away, but few 20-year-olds can match his raw power. He’s ready for Low-A Bradenton in 2022.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  A minor injury during spring training slowed Nolasco's start to the season, but there's still plenty of excitement within the Pirates organization for Nolasco's plus power potential, even if he doesn't get to it as frequently in games yet. He's shown quality pitch recognition and plate discipline for a teenager, too. Nolasco is one of several recent international signings trending in the right direction for Pittsburgh and has a shot to reach Low-A Bradenton by the end of the season.