Prospect Watch: Luis Nova
As one of the older players out of the 2018 International Free Agent pool, Luis Nova had to be quick in his development in the Minor Leagues. After two years in the system, he has already advanced five levels in the system, working as high as Advanced-A Bradenton last season. He has decent velocity and has experience working out of both a starters role and a reliever's role in his professional career. He has shown good control numbers and strikeout numbers throughout his career but allows way too many hits and that gets him into trouble. His road hasn't always been the smoothest, but he is looking to establish himself as a prominent Minor League pitcher.
Last season, Nova started the year in Advanced-A Bradenton but made one appearance before being sent down to Low-A. Overall, it was a rocky season for the young right-hander, as he went 4-2 with a 5.09 ERA. He showed good control walking just 6.8% of the batters he faced while striking out 43 over 46.1 innings of work. It was the first season that Nova spent as a full-time starter and, other than getting hit around a lot, he had one of his best seasons as a professional. He allowed a career-low .267 opponent average in Low-A Greensboro and thrived in his new role as a starting pitcher.
When the Pirates were looking at the players available in the International Free Agent pool, Nova wowed them with his control. His fastball might not have been the fastest of the arms available, but he could put it wherever he wanted in the strike zone. He could run it inside and outside, painting the corners methodically. He was one of the older prospects available to the Pirates, but they were confident that they could help improve his skills and move him through the system quickly so he could catch up to his peers. He would end up signing his professional contract on December 22nd, 2017, and was ready to make his professional debut during the 2018 season.
He started his professional career with the Dominican Summer League Pirates in what turned out to be a short stint. He appeared in three games out of the bullpen and posted good numbers with a 1.69 ERA. He worked three innings or more in all three outings and didn't give up a run until his final appearance. He walked just two batters and struck out 13 in his 10.1 innings of work, dominating the DSL. Because of his success, the Pirates moved Nova to the GCL Pirates in an effort to help keep his momentum going. Nova would continue coming out of the bullpen for the GCL Pirates and continued his success posting a 3.00 ERA in nine appearances with the GCL Pirates. He did a lot of his work late in games and ended up picking up a save while finishing five games for the GCL Pirates. His strikeout rate was about the same as it was in the DSL, but his walk percentage continued to improve as he walked just four batters in 27 innings of work.
He finished his 2018, season with the Bristol Pirates of the Appalachian League, and that is when things started going off the rails. He appeared in six games at the end of the season and posted an 11.25 ERA in eight innings of work. The home run was his biggest problem, as he gave up one every two innings of work. His control was also the worst it has ever been in his professional career, as he walked nine batters in those eight innings of work. His one positive from the experience, was the fact that he struck out 10 batters using his fastball/changeup combo to his advantage.
After struggling in Bristol, Nova was set to return to Bristol last year but took advantage of some opportunities. He initially filled in as a reliever at Advanced-A Bradenton and again struggled in his two appearances walking five batters in five innings of work. It was very uncharacteristic for the right-hander and was cause for concern. As he was getting ready to head to Bristol, he got a blessing as the Greensboro Grasshoppers needed a starter. Nova jumped in and began to thrive as a starting pitcher. He made nine starts for the Grasshoppers, spanning 41 innings of work, and went 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA. His strikeout rate dropped slightly, with 37 on the year, but the big thing was that his control had returned. He walked four batters in 41 innings of work and was back to putting the ball where he wanted it.
He turned in three quality starts on the season, and it seemed the longer he went in the game, the better the results. In games where he pitched five or more innings, he had an ERA of 1.82. However, when he lasted less than five innings, his ERA ballooned to 7.94. It all depended on the type of start Nova got out to and how many hits he gave up. Looking ahead to 2021, I expect to see Nova back with Greensboro at least to start the year in a starting role. If he can continue the momentum he built in 2019, he could be on the rise to Advanced-A Bradenton as he continues on the path of a starting pitcher.
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