Mason
Nichols

Cape Cod: Was a key part of the Ole Miss bullpen during its national championship run in 2022, but his ERA jumped from 2.84 to 5.45 as a sophomore. He worked mostly as a starter for Hyannis, posting a 3.46 ERA during the regular season along with an unsightly 15-15 K-BB mark in 26 IP. Nichols mostly sat at 91-93 as a starter and 93-94 in shorter relief stints, and he misses plenty of barrels thanks to the riding action on the pitch. His solid slider plays well off his fastball, and he is working to develop his changeup into the third weapon he’ll need to make a run at the weekend rotation next year. 

USA CNT: Sat 92-94 (2350-2450 rpm) with a quick arm from a high three-quarter release point. His fastball lacked much life during his first appearance at the trials, but was much improved during his second outing as he attacked downhill and was much more aggressive in the zone from the onset. He also showed a low-80s slider to go along with a 79-80 changeup.

USA CNT TRIALS: Nichols emerged as a key middle relief piece during the Rebels’ run to the national championship, posting a 2.84 ERA and a 41-12 K-BB mark in 31.2 innings over 21 appearances. We saw him work a hitless, scoreless inning in Durham, attacking the zone at 92-93 mph along with a quality slider at 83-85 and good feel for a changeup in the same velocity band. The projectable 6-foot-5, 205-pound Nichols has a clean arm path to an over-the-top release point, and his ability to command the strike zone with three pitches at a young age is a very encouraging sign for his future. He has the frame, delivery, arsenal and pitchability to make a smooth transition into a starting role as his college career unfolds, making him an intriguing prospect for the 2024 draft.