http://riveraveblues.com/2012/02/prospect-profile-zach-nuding-63215/
Zach Nuding | RHP
Background
A Texas kid from Haltom City — just outside of Dallas — Nuding wasn’t much
of a pro prospect coming out of high school. He went undrafted after graduating
in 2008, then joining the upstart baseball program at Weatherford College, a
two-year school. Nuding served as the Coyotes closer as a freshman, then played
in the Texas Collegiate League during the summer. He was drafted by the Pirates
in the 37th round of the 2009 draft, but did not sign and returned to school
for another year.
As a sophomore in 2010, Nuding established himself as the best pro prospect
on the staff. He moved into the rotation and appeared in 16 games, striking
out 65 with 35 walks in 78 IP. He led all starters with a 2.19 ERA, then
again pitched in the Texas Collegiate League after the season. Baseball
America (subs. req’d) considered Nuding the 37th best prospect in Texas
prior to the 2010 draft, and the Yankees made him their 30th round pick, the
925th overall selection. He signed relatively late for $265k — after the
Yankees got a longer look at him in summer ball — foregoing his commitment
to Texas Tech.
Pro Career
Nuding appeared in just one game after signing in 2010, allowing two run in two
innings with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Yankees. He was assigned to
Low-A Charleston to open last season, and he pitched to a 4.48 ERA (4.26 FIP)
with 82 strikeouts (7.51 K/9 and 19.5 K%) and 44 walks (4.03 BB/9 and 10.5 BB%)
in 98.1 IP spread across 20 starts. He suffered an unknown but minor injury in
late-July, and he was back on the mound in early-August. He made three rehab
appearances in the GCL, then finished the season with one start for High-A
Tampa. All told, Nuding struck out 91 batters (7.56 K/9and 19.7 K%) and walked
45 (3.74 BB/9 and 9.8 BB%) in 108.1 IP in 2011.
Scouting Report
The only player in the organization more physically imposing than Nuding is
Dellin Betances. The right-hander is listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 lbs., but he’s
probably an inch or two taller and 10-20 lbs heavier. His fastball can cash the
check his frame writes, living in the 93-96 range with big time boring action
in on righties. He’s been clocked as high as 98. Neither of Nuding’s offspeed
pitches — a low-80′s slider and changeup — are consistent yet, but both have
shown put-away potential at times.
Nuding’s delivery is a bit herky jerky and rough around the edges, leading
to occasional control problems. He does pitch aggressively though, with a
willingness to pound the zone when he’s in sync. The Yankees have used him
as a starter so far in his career, but Nuding is likely to wind up a power
reliever unless both the slider and changeup make some big strides. He could
end up touching triple-digits as a one-inning bullpen guy. Here’s the only
video I could find, though it doesn’t appear to be working at the moment.
http://www.trentonian.com/video/?va_id=2418185&pl_id=21340&ref=synd
2012 Outlook
The Yankees will send Nuding back to High-A Tampa to open the season, where he
will continue to take the ball every five days as a starter. He’ll get another
year before shifting to the bullpen permanently, at the very least.
My Take
The Yankees have built up this hilariously deep cache of power relievers with
their late-round picks, and Nuding fits the bill perfectly. He isn’t the best
prospect of the bunch, but he has the best fastball and arguably the most
upside. I do love these big hard-throwing relief types even if they have less
than stellar control and underwhelming secondary pitches because you can be an
effective big league reliever with a huge fastball and just a show-me breaking
ball. Grant Balfour, Matt Thornton, and Joel Hanrahan are doing it right now.
Nuding has some movement on his fastball, and that will help a little. I don’t
expect him to be all that great this coming season as a starter, but it’s all
about getting experience and working on things. He’s a little too good for a
sleeper, but don’t be surprised if he’s getting much more attention in like,
18 months.
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