Nick Nastrini pitched so well in spring training this year that there was a legitimate argument that he should have started the season in the White Sox big league starting rotation. While he did not make the Opening Day roster, he soon got his chance in Chicago. Unfortunately, Nastrini did not make the most of the opportunity. He could not throw strikes and got smacked around when he did. He had more walks than strikeouts with the White Sox and allowed six home runs in just 24.2 MLB innings. Nastrini was then sent down to AAA in late April where he has been ever since.
It has been a disastrous season for Nastrini individually. Not only has he failed to cement himself as an MLB-caliber pitcher in a season when there was a spot wide open for him, but he has also struggled for most of the season in AAA. From the beginning of the season to August 1st, Nastrini put up a 6.75 ERA and allowed a whopping 21 home runs in 20 starts between the MLB and AAA levels. While home runs have been a massive problem, the most significant area of concern for Nastrini has been walks. He walked 65 batters over 85.1 innings over that span. It is simply not possible for a pitcher to succeed over the long run while issuing that many free passes. 2024 looked like a lost season for Nastrini until recently.
However, Nastrini is showing signs of improvement. He has tweaked his mechanics and increased usage of his curveball recently. He cleaned up inconsistencies in his motion, ditching a toe tap he had been using before. Nastrini acknowledged that his foot placement was an integral cause of why he could not throw strikes. These changes are paying dividends. Since making the tweaks, he has a 2.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 9.0 K/9 in four AAA starts.
Most important are his improvements in the walks and home runs allowed categories. He has walked just six batters over that span while allowing only one home run. Nastrini will have to prove himself over a larger sample, but his recent performances are definitely a step in the right direction. He has righted the ship to some extent, and there is now a renewed sense of hope in his future outlook.
The White Sox have several exciting pitching prospects, and Nastrini’s poor season has put his name on the back burner on prospect lists and future starting rotation hypotheticals. However, his story is far from over. Rotation spots will be open moving forward. If that is not the ideal role for Nastrini, the bullpen could be his final landing place. It is only a matter of time before he gets another chance in Chicago. If he keeps pitching like he has, his next opportunity could come sooner than one would think. At just 24 years old, Nick Nastrini has plenty of time to cement himself as a productive MLB pitcher in some capacity for the White Sox.
