Juan Nicasio

[Dobber]

So is baseball grapefruit league action similar to preseason hockey in that it creates giants (only to have them torn down by Game 5)? Is Nicasio another, say, Brandon Bochenski (in NHL terms)? Or does preseason performance actually mean something?

Asking for a friend

[hockeyrobot]

It's similar in that it doesn't matter but I'm drafting tonight and Nicasio is now on my radar because like many before him, his move to Pittsburgh has resulted in an overhaul in his production. I'm hoping to take him as a late round flyer

[Eskimo Brother]

Took him as a late round flier in my league last night. Pittsburgh has had some surprising pitchers come out in the last few years, so really he's a low risk, high reward player, at a position which is really always in flux to begin with.

[GinFizz]

id pass.. SSS...(Small Sample Size). you will end up dropping him by May 1st

[DusterDave]

2014olympicgold is really high on Nicasio and he seems to know his baseball. I've added him to my watch list but I'm not sure he is worth dropping any of my pitchers over... or is he?

[Eskimo Brother]

Dave, he probably isn't worth adding over any of your pitchers at this point, however he is one to keep a close eye on, as if he does well in his first start, he could turn into one of those great sell high guys after 3-5 starts.

[2014olympicgold]

If he starts, I'm looking at him as my Carlos Martinez (sleeper pick of the year). Everyone was gawking over Stroman's spin rate last year (like RPM), and how it made him the pitcher he was which is important for a ground ball pitcher. Nicasio has a higher spin rate on everything but the the slider. Nicasio has pretty close to the same movement, and I like the 10mph difference between the FB and the CH. I don't think he'll be a 9k/9IP, but a 7-8 is certainly obtainable.

Helps he's out of Coors, and has pitching Guru Ray Searage coaching him (best out there).

I've stolen this sleeper pick tho, I can't take credit for it lol. But I do want to see some highlights of his in MLB action, and he's done everything to earn the starters role. Remember he hasn't been pegged as a starter yet, but Pitts would be stupid not to name it.

his 2-seamer and 4-seamer are at just north of 2,000rpm each. That's where you want them for good pitchers. I'm liking him (if a starter) as a big return off a 900 O-Rank.

If he sucks not my fault tho....

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2014olympicgold is really high on Nicasio and he seems to know his baseball. I've added him to my watch list but I'm not sure he is worth dropping any of my pitchers over... or is he?

Only person I see on your team I'd drop would be Teixeira. But my guess is you have a Bull Pen roster limit.

And even then, I rather see how Nicasio does before i do that

[2014olympicgold]

I’m also not saying Nicasio is Stroman/better than Stroman based on spin rate. There’s tons of other things that weigh in from pitch arsenal (Stroman throws like 5/6 different pitches), to arm slot release (Stroman’s is a lot lower than peoples), to straight up attitude on the mound.

I just like the spin rate being better than some highly sought after breakout pitchers, and Nicasio is going 100% last round in leagues.

[DusterDave]

I'd imagine I'll be able to add Lance McCullers to the DL once opening day rolls around. Nicasio is someone I've added on my radar thanks to this thread but was also considering Aaron Sanchez since he's been named the number 5 guy in Toronto (and unfortunately I have a huge biased towards the Jays even though I know I shouldn't in fantasy). Luis Severino is also still available in my league. Fiers, Hendricks, Leake and Volquez are other names available.

[2014olympicgold]

There’s a lot of guess on the FA wire for you lol. I’d go Sanchez first. But also be aware he’s likely bull pen bound come end of July/early August. So maybe trade him in early July if he’s doing well.

[GinFizz]

Nicasio is probably only relevant in 16+ teams or Only leagues. I would much rather have Severino Velaquez Fiers and Sanchez than Nicasio.

[Axeman33]

Would anyone here take this Nicasio guy over someone like Iwakuma? I have Iwakuma on my bench in my one year, 5x5 league but Nicasio, along with most of the others listed above.

[GinFizz]

^ nope.

[2014olympicgold]

He’s not even a starter yet. I wouldn’t be picking him over guys like that yet. If he’s named a starter, and your FA pool is as deep as it is, wait. He’s not playing until Saturday April 9th for his first start….if he starts.

I think he’s being named a starter tho. He threw a crap ton of changeups apparently in his last ST start, which apparently indicates he’s likely a starter.

I have him in a 10 team league because I rather take that chance on him, than a guy like Happ who’s prolly one of the better FA right now in my league. Plus he’s listed as an RP right now, so he’ll be a SP,RP which helps me out greatly.

[2014olympicgold]

Pirates rotation so far that’s confirmed:
1.Liriano 2.Cole 3.Niese 4.Locke
5 is up between Nicasio and Vogelsong. And Vogelsong has done everything he can do to be in the bull pen this Spring Training, but that doesn’t mean he’s not in the running for the 5^th