Top 20 Prospects: #6 Sean Nolin LHP

#6 Sean Nolin LHP

Born:  December 26, 1989 in Seaford, New York, US (Age 22)

Acquired via: 2010 Draft. 6^th round from San Jacinto College North

Bats: Left Throws: Left 
Height: 6' 5" Weight: 235 lbs.

Baseball America Rank: Not Listed (Pre-Trade)

Baseball Prospectus Rank: TBA

Fan Graphs Rank: #7

MLB.com Rank: #16

Minor League Ball Rank: #6

2012 Stats and Analysis:

Team/Level	W-L	IP	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	BABIP	FIP	HR/9
Dunedin (A+)	9-0	86.1	2.19	1.077	9.4	2.2	.293	3.04	0.7
New Hampshire (AA)	1-0	15.0	1.20	1.000	10.8	3.6	.257	2.20	0.0
Total	10-0	101.1	2.04	1.066	9.6	2.4			0.6

Sean Nolin was one of the best, if not the best pitcher in the Blue Jays organization in 2012. He dominated the FSL in 15 starts, and then destroyed the Eastern League for 3 starts. His peripherals were great, averaging 9.6 strikeouts per 9 innings, while only walking 2.4. Obviously, in a very small sample size of just 15.0 IP, his walk rate 3.6 in AA, so that could be a concern in the future. Too go along with his dominant swing and miss stuff, he also didn’t allow the ball to leave the park in 2012, happening just 7 times in A+, and never in AA. If there were any concerns about how Nolin would take to the mid-levels of the minors, he answered all of those questions in 2012 with his unbelievable performance.

Scouting Report

The tall 22 year old southpaw features a below average fastball, sitting in the high 80’s and low 90’s, but that isn’t much of a concern because he’s a lefty, and that speed isn’t too bad, especially because he can touch 94 if needed.  He also features a change up that has loads of promise, but isn’t there yet, and two breaking pitches, a curveball and a slider that need some work, but give him a good chance to be a starter if they develop into average or above average pitches.  He isn’t afraid to challenge hitters, and his big frame is very intimidating coming off of the mound. He has tons of potential, now he just needs to fulfill it.

2013? Projection? ETA?

In 2013, Nolin will start the year in AA, but will likely be the first starter from the Fisher Cats staff called up to Buffalo if he continues to dominate, and depending where Deck McGuire starts the season. If he is able to pitch in AAA as well, Nolin could find himself in Toronto towards the end of the season. He projects as a mid-rotation arm, but if the secondary stuff doesn’t advance to where it needs to be for a starter, he could be a great late inning lefty out of the ‘pen. His ETA is definitely 2013. Whether it is July-August, or as a September call up, Nolin should, barring any injuries or Deck McGuire type seasons, be playing for the Blue Jays in 2013.

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