Toronto Blue Jays Selected Nick Frasso In Fourth Round

The Toronto Blue Jays select pitcher Nick Frasso in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft.

Background

Who: Nick Frasso
Position: Right Handed Pitcher
Born: October 18, 1998 (21 years old), Torrance, California
Height: 6’5″                                   Weight: 190 lbs
Drafted out of: Loyola Marymount University

MLB Pipeline Grades:

Rank: 98th overall

Fastball: 60                                  Curveball: 50

Changeup: 45                               Control: 50

Overall: 45

Nick Frasso is a 21 year old tall lanky right handed pitcher who was a two sport All-Star in High School.  Along with baseball, Frasso was a Bay League Most Outstanding Player and first team All-Area in basketball; and was also named the 2017 Palas Verdes Peninsula Male Athlete of the Year.

During his final year of High School baseball, Frasso held opponents to one or less runs seven of his nine appearances which included a no-hitter in the Bay League Championship. After high school, scouts had their doubts on Frasso as he played two sports and there was just not enough viewings to justify drafting him and he was passed over in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Loyola Marymount

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Frasso played in three seasons in college, although in 2020 he was able to pitch in just two appearances before the pandemic caused the shutdown of the season.  During his first two season, Frasso was used primarily out of the bullpen and recorded 10 saves during the 2019 season.

Frasso’s top pitch is a fastball that touches 97 mph which led to him averaging 11.3 strikeouts per 9 innings during his three year college career (125 IP). Frasso currently has three pitches as he also throws a curveball and a changeup, although the changeup needs some work.  Standing at 6’5” and a very skinny body, scouting reports show he has a very jerky delivery.  Frasso is known to not have pinpoint control, however he is able to be around the strike zone often enough and that has led him to averaging almost a 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio.

When the season was shutdown, Frasso was out with an elbow injury, however reports were that he was already throwing and nearing a return.

Future
MLB.com rated Frasso #98 on the top 200 prospects for this draft and which meant he went eight slots below that.  The Pick Value at 106 is $549,000, which is roughly $44,000 less than what the original rating slot was.  My speculation would be the Blue Jays would like to save money on this pick to use towards Austin Martin, however this is my own theory.

Once signed, Frasso will likely been given the opportunity to develop as a starter, however with the early elbow trouble he has had, it is likely Frasso will move to the bullpen quickly if things don’t amount.  Frasso’s college career showed he is very capable to come out in relief and shutdown a line-up.

The Blue Jays and Frasso will look to end the Fourth Round curse as it has been 10-years since the team has drafted someone in that round to play in the major leagues (Sam Dyson – 2010).