All You Need To Know About Top 2019 MLB Draft Prospect Nick Lodolo

The 2019 MLB Draft is fast approaching, with teams finalizing their draft boards as they pay close attention to the NCAA tournament over the weekend. One pitcher teams will most certainly be watching on Saturday will be Nick Lodolo out of TCU, whose draft stock could be greatly affected by an outing against a really good Arkansas team.

Nick Lodolo Stats

Lodolo is one of those prospects who completely broke out in his junior year, posting a 2.48 ERA with 125 strikeouts through 98 innings pitched. Prior to his dominant 2019 season, he had an ERA of 4.35 in his freshman year, and a 4.32 mark in his sophomore Campaign. One could most certainly attribute Lodolo's success to his increased control in his pitches, as he had a career low 16 walks this season. He even managed to capture a spot on the All-American third team, which has made him one of the more enticing prospects in this year's class.

The 6-6, 185 pound southpaw took a chance on himself by deciding to go to college after being selected 41st overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016, and it has certainly paid off thanks to a particularly weak pitching class.

Lodolo has a very nice pitch repertoire, with a fastball that hits 92-94 mph on a downhill trajectory thanks to his height, and has hit the mid-90s in the past. He's also got a very sharp curveball and a plus changeup with late action, additionally using a slider as of late that will continue to develop the more he features it in his starts.

Lodolo's improved command, confidence on the mound, and easy delivery will likely get him drafted within the top 10 picks, but it's a mystery as to where he'll go. Like fellow top college pitching prospect Alek Manoah, he doesn't yet have the makeup of an ace, but if he continues to attack hitters the way he has lately, he should have no problem getting a job as a second or third pitcher in a rotation.

There's a very good chance that the southpaw could be drafted by the Cincinnati Reds at seventh overall, or the San Francisco Giants at the tenth spot, since both teams need fast-moving starting pitching. However, a boffo game against Arkansas could affect that status. Either way, Lodolo has a chance to be a solid pitcher in the majors, so long as he continues to show solid command of his pitches and attack hitters aggressively.