Carlos Enrique Nolasco (born December 13, 1982) is an American former
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Mod ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) for the
Florida/Miami Marlins,
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
,
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...
, and
Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
. He is of Mexican descent.
Early life
Born in Corona, California to
Mexican parents, Nolasco attended
Rialto High School in
Rialto, California. He graduated in 2001 and was drafted out of
high school
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...
in the fourth round of the
2001 Major League Baseball draft
The 2001 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 5 and 6.
First round selections
Supplemental First Round Selections
Compensation Picks
Background
On June 1, 2001, Rolando Viera, a Cuban ba ...
by the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
.
Professional career
Chicago Cubs
Nolasco began his professional career in the
Rookie-level Arizona League
The Arizona Complex League (ACL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona, since 1988. Prior to 2021, it was known as the Arizona League (AZL). Along with the Florida Complex League (FCL), it f ...
with the
Arizona League Cubs
The Arizona Complex League Cubs are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays it home games at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. The team is composed mainly of player ...
. In five games with the team, including four starts, he recorded a 1–0
win–loss record
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. The statistic is commonly used in standings or rankings to compare teams or individuals. It is defined as wins divided by the total number of match ...
with an
earned-run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
(ERA) of 1.50. He spent the 2002 season with the
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. Home games are played at Memorial Stadium in Garden City, Idaho, a small city surround ...
of the
Class A-Short Season
Class A Short Season (officially Short-Season A) was a level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States from 1965 through 2020. In the hierarchy of minor league classifications, it was below Triple-A, Double-A, Class A-Advanced (cre ...
Northwest League
The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Pacific Northwest, Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Maj ...
, earning a record of 7–2 with an ERA of 2.48 in 15 starts. The next season, Nolasco was assigned to the
Daytona Cubs Daytona refers to the city of Daytona Beach, Florida, or things named after it.
Daytona may also refer to:
Locations
* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida
* South Daytona, Florida
* The Daytona Beach metropolitan area
* Halifax area, also known as Dayt ...
of the
Class A-Advanced
High-A (officially Class High-A, formerly known as Class A-Advanced, and sometimes abbreviated "A+" in writing) is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada, below Triple-A and Double-A, and abov ...
Florida State League
The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...
, where he went 11–5 with a 2.96 ERA in 26 starts.
Nolasco started the 2004 season in the
Double-A (AA)
Southern League with the
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
The Jackson Generals were a professional baseball team located in Jackson, Tennessee. From 1998 to 2020, they were a part of Minor League Baseball's Southern League (SL) as the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs (1998–2006), Seattle Mar ...
. A month into the season, on May 16, he was called up to the
Triple-A Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. The ...
of the
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...
. He made nine starts for Iowa, accumulating a record of 2–3 with an ERA of 9.30 before being sent back down to AA on June 28. Nolasco spent the rest of the season there; he finished the season with a record of 6-4 and an ERA of 3.70 in 19 starts throughout both stints with the Diamond Jaxx during the 2004 season. Nolasco then spent the entire 2005 season in AA as he achieved an impressive 14–3 record with an ERA of 2.89 in 27 starts. Nolasco received the Southern League’s Most Outstanding Pitcher Award for the 2005 season.
Florida/Miami Marlins
![Ricky Nolasco Marlins](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Ricky_Nolasco_Marlins.JPG)
The
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
acquired Nolasco,
Sergio Mitre
Sergio Armando Mitre (born February 16, 1981) is a Mexican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. In 2022, he was ...
, and
Renyel Pinto
Renyel Eligio Pinto Cumache'' (born July 8, 1982) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He played for the Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball ...
from the Cubs for
Juan Pierre
Juan D'Vaughn Pierre (born August 14, 1977) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2000–2013 for the Colorado Rockies, Florida/Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Ch ...
on December 7, 2005. He made the opening day roster in 2006 and made his debut with 3 scoreless innings of relief on April 5 against the
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
. He struck out
Jason Lane
Jason Dean Lane (born December 22, 1976) is an American professional baseball former player and current coach. He is the third base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Houston Astros and San ...
for his first Major League strikeout. He recorded his first win with 2 innings of relief against the Cubs on April 26. He made his first start on May 22, also against the Cubs, and allowed 1 run in 7 innings to get the win.
Nolasco missed most of the 2007 season with an injury and then started the 2008 season as a
middle reliever
In baseball, a middle reliever or middle relief pitcher, is a relief pitcher who typically pitches during the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings of a standard baseball game. In leagues with no designated hitter, such as in the National League pri ...
, but quickly found his way to the top of the rotation as Florida's top starting pitcher. On August 19, 2008, he pitched a two-hitter against the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
. With one out in the 9th inning, he gave up a
double
A double is a look-alike or doppelgänger; one person or being that resembles another.
Double, The Double or Dubble may also refer to:
Film and television
* Double (filmmaking), someone who substitutes for the credited actor of a character
* Th ...
; the only other
hit
Hit means to strike someone or something.
Hit or HIT may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities
* Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super''
* Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...
given up by him was a ball deflected off the glove of
first baseman
A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...
Mike Jacobs. Nolasco also had a two-run double in the game. Nolasco won 15 games in 2008, putting him in the top 5 in wins in the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
.
Nolasco was named the 2009
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent years ...
starter, throwing in six innings and win against the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
. On September 30, 2009, Nolasco struck out 16 batters, breaking
A. J. Burnett
Allan James Burnett (born January 3, 1977), is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Philadelphia ...
's record for 14 strikeouts in a single game for the
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
.
In December 2010, Nolasco agreed to a contract extension with the Marlins to remain with the team through 2013.
On August 23, 2011, Nolasco became the Marlins franchise leader in strikeouts, overtaking
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis (born January 12, 1982), nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American former left-handed professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinn ...
. A year later on May 22, 2012 he won his 69th game, overtaking Willis' club record of 68 wins with the Marlins. He finished the season with a 4.48 ERA in 191 innings pitched, with 47 walks, 125 strikeouts, a 1.37 WHIP, and a 12–13 record.
Los Angeles Dodgers
![Ricky Nolasco on July 9, 2013](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Ricky_Nolasco_on_July_9%2C_2013.jpg)
On July 6, 2013, he was traded to the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
for
Josh Wall
Joshua Michael Wall (born January 21, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of Central Private School (Central, Louisiana), Central Private ...
, and two minor league pitchers
Steve Ames
Steven C. Ames (born March 15, 1988) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher.
Career
Los Angeles Dodgers
Ames was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Gonzaga University. He beg ...
, and
Ángel Sánchez. He made 15 starts for the Dodgers and was 8–3 with a 3.52 ERA. Nolasco is the only Marlins pitcher to have both over 1,000 innings pitched and 1,000 strikeouts.
Minnesota Twins
On November 27, 2013, Nolasco agreed to terms with the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...
on a four-year, $49 million contract. In his first season as a Twin, Nolasco posted a disappointing 5.38 ERA in 27 starts. Nolasco's 2015 season was cut short due to injury, recording a 6.75 ERA in 8 starts while also appearing in one game out of the bullpen. For the 2016 season, Nolasco competed for a rotation spot with
Tyler Duffey
Tyler Blinn Duffey (born December 27, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He made his MLB debut in 2015 with the Minnesota Twins.
Amateur career
Duffey attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Tex ...
. Duffey ended up being sent down to AAA before the season began, anointing Nolasco the 5th starter. He continued his regression from his previous two seasons, registering an ERA of 5.13 in 21 starts for the Twins. Nolasco ended his two and half seasons with the Twins with a 15–22 record.
Los Angeles Angels
On August 1, 2016, the Twins traded Nolasco with
Alex Meyer plus cash in exchange for Angels pitchers
Hector Santiago Hector Santiago or Héctor Santiago may refer to:
* Hector Santiago (baseball) (born 1987), American professional baseball pitcher
* Héctor Santiago (playwright) (born 1944), Cuban playwright
See also
* Héctor Santiago-Colón
{{Human name di ...
and
Alan Busenitz
Alan Paul Busenitz (born August 22, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) f ...
. He had the lowest zone percentage of all major league pitchers, with only 39.1% of his pitches being in the
strike zone
In baseball, the strike zone is the volume of space through which a pitch must pass in order to be called a strike even if the batter does not swing. The strike zone is defined as the volume of space above home plate and between the batter's kn ...
.
For the 2017 season, Nolasco was chosen to be the Angels'
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent years ...
starting pitcher. Nolasco's 2017 season was his worst season of his career, finishing with a record of 6-15 with a 4.92 ERA in 33 starts.
Kansas City Royals
Nolasco signed a minor league contract with the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
on March 7, 2018. He was released on March 24.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On February 8, 2019, Nolasco signed a minor league contract with the
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...
that included an invitation to
spring training
Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...
. He elected free agency on November 7, 2019.
Pitching style
Nolasco throws five pitches: a
four-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family of pitches and is usually the hardest (i.e., fastest) ball thrown by a pitcher. It is ca ...
, a
sinker, a
split-finger fastball
A split-finger fastball or splitter is an off-speed pitch in baseball that looks to the batter like a fastball until it drops suddenly. Derived from the forkball, it is so named because the pitcher puts the index and middle finger on different ...
, a
slider
Slider or Sliders may refer to:
Arts
* K.K. Slider, a fictional character within the ''Animal Crossing'' franchise
* '' The Slider'', a 1972 album by T. Rex
* ''Sliders'' (TV series), an American science fiction and fantasy television series
* ...
, and a
knuckle curve
In Major League history, the term knuckle curve or knuckle curveball has been used to describe three entirely different pitches. All are unrelated to the similar sounding knuckleball.
The first, more modern and commonly used pitch called the kn ...
.
Personal life
Nolasco goes by the first name "Ricky" because his father named his son after his favorite Dodger,
Rick Monday
Robert James "Rick" Monday Jr. (born November 20, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player who now serves as a broadcaster. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a center fielder from 1966 to 1984, most notably as a member ...
. Nolasco's older brother, Dave, attended
Riverside Community College
Riverside City College (RCC) is a public community college in Riverside, California. The college is part of the Riverside Community College District, as well as the larger California Community Colleges System.
History
RCC first opened in 1916 at ...
and was selected by the
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division. The Brewers are named for t ...
in the 23rd round of the 2001 MLB draft.
See also
*
List of Miami Marlins team records
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nolasco, Ricky
1982 births
Living people
Florida Marlins players
Miami Marlins players
Los Angeles Dodgers players
Minnesota Twins players
Los Angeles Angels players
Boise Hawks players
Daytona Cubs players
Iowa Cubs players
West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players
Jupiter Hammerheads players
Gulf Coast Marlins players
Albuquerque Isotopes players
Carolina Mudcats players
New Orleans Zephyrs players
Peoria Saguaros players
Cedar Rapids Kernels players
American baseball players of Mexican descent
Baseball players from California
Major League Baseball pitchers
Sportspeople from Corona, California
Arizona League Cubs players
Sportspeople from Rialto, California