Cy
Nielson

Cape Cod- Nielson battled control issues as a 2YR FR this spring, posting a 7.75 ERA and a 33-29 K-BB mark in 33.2 IP, but he did a better job staying in the zone this summer (26-11 K-BB in 23.2 IP), and he showed some of the better lefthanded stuff in the league. With a strong, thick lower half and a durable 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, Nielson features an old-school overhead windup and a long stride as well as a quick, simple arm circle to a three-quarters release. He mostly showed good tempo in his delivery but occasionally got out of sync and yanked his fastball out of the zone. We saw him work at 91-95 mph with above-average to plus spin rates in the 2300-2500 rpm range, and he pitched heavily off his fastball, which featured running life to his glove side. Holliday said he worked at 94-96 mph in his final outing, along with a true putaway slider. We saw the makings of a good slider at 84-85 mph, and he could locate it for a strike to the back door against righties. His changeup was too firm most of the summer, but it was better late, coming in at 87-88 and emerging as a third weapon for him. Nielson has a no-nonsense demeanor and stays in attack mode, and his stuff plays up a bit thanks to some deception in his delivery. He's just coming into his own, but he emerged as a true prospect of interest for the 2022 draft.

Athletic bodied at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Nielson is a true freshman with a loose arm and good arm speed. Ranked 108th overall by PBR before last year’s draft, Nielson was selected in the 40th round by the Cleveland Indians, but he declined pro interest and headed to Provo. During his opening weekend start against New Mexico, he sat in the low-90s (touched 94) in his first inning of work. In the second and third innings his velocity declined a bit, into the 89-91 mph range, but he maintained the velocity on his changeup and slider, both sitting 82-85 mph. The slider is currently a little flat, but he has good feel for the pitch and it should develop into an above average offering down the road. The change was thrown with good hand speed and was consistently in or around the zone. Currently fringy, he showed good feel and it projects to be a plus pitch in the future. Nielson ran out of gas in the fourth inning and finished the day with 3.2 innings pitched and allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Time will tell, but on this look he showed all of the ingredients to become an early round pick in 2022.

8/2018 - Strong frame at 6-foot-2, 203 pounds. Works quickly and across his body from a 3/4 slot. Fastball ranges from 88-92. Slider is slurvy at 77. Pitched two innings across two appearances in Long Beach, allowing a hit and walk while striking out one.