https://twitter.com/TexasBaseball/status/1004398348474908672
Nolan Kingham 21-years-old 6-Foot-4, 200 pound RHP from Las Vegas NV
If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because Nolan’s older brother Nick made a noteworthy major league debut. On April 29 the Pirates called Nick Kingham up for a spot start and he thanked them by throwing seven shutout innings against the Cardinals.
Texas used the younger Kingham as a reliever most of his freshman year. That changed his sophomore year when he predominantly worked as a starter finishing the season with a 4.10 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 90 innings pitched.
The Austin American Statesman attributes his elevated ERA to a pair of bad outings early in the season and pointed out that he still ranked tenth in the Big 12 conference.
The NCAA tournament seems to bring out the best in Kingham. He threw 7 1/3 innings ion Saturday as Texas beat Texas A&M 8-3 last Saturday. The outing happened exactly a year after he threw 7 2/3 innings to beat UCLA in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
BA’s scouting report says Kingham features a fastball at 96-97, two seam sinker at 92, an above-average 80-81 mph curveball. The Austin American Statesman linked earlier says his breaking pitch is a slider and adds a changeup to the arsenal.
Nolan has more pure stuff than Nick and a more athletic build. At his best he’s TOR starter and would be a great addition to the Braves system.
That’s a Wrap
The question is, will either player sign with the Atlanta Braves now for a small bonus or return to college and hope for a better payday next year?
Tonight’s post by Tori McElhaney mentions Higginbotham by name but not the higher ranked Kingham. I’m going to read into that a belief by McElhaney that the lefty will sign.
Kingham is a tougher decision. He appears to have done everything he can do at Texas. Although he has a year of eligibility remaining, he’s had recurring academic issues.
Big brother Nick signed in the fourth round. Nolan knows he has better stuff and the Braves have a limited amount of money they can give a 12th round player.
I’d return to school and try again in 2019. I think Kingham will as well.
Next: The best ofense is a good defesne. . as long as you score
More posts on the late rounds are coming. Stay tuned her at the Take.