Ricky Nolasco
Encyclopedia
Carlos Enrique "Ricky" Nolasco (born December 13, 1982 in Corona, California
) is an American Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
for the Miami Marlins. He is listed as 6'2" and 220, and made his major league debut on April 5, . Nolasco graduated in 2001 from Rialto High School
, Rialto, California
and was drafted out of high school
, in the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
, in the 4th round by the Chicago Cubs
. The Florida Marlins acquired him, Sergio Mitre
, and Renyel Pinto
from the Cubs for Juan Pierre
on December 7, 2005.
Nolasco started the season as a middle reliever, but quickly found his way to the top of the rotation as Florida's top starting pitcher. On August 19, 2008, he pitched a two-hitter against the San Francisco Giants
. With one out in the 9th inning, he gave up a double
; the only other hit
given up by him was a ball deflected off the glove of first baseman
Mike Jacobs. Nolasco also had a two-run double in the game. Nolasco won 15 games in 2008, putting him in the top 5 in wins in the National League
.
Nolasco was named the 2009 Opening Day
starter, throwing in six innings and win against the Washington Nationals
. On September 30, 2009, Nolasco struck out 16 batters, breaking A.J. Burnett's record for 14 strikeouts in a single game for the Florida Marlins
.
In December 2010, Nolasco agreed to a contract extension with the Marlins to remain with the team through 2013.
On August 23, 2011, Nolasco became the Marlins franchise leader in strikeouts, overtaking Dontrelle Willis
.
Corona, California
Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 152,374, up from 124,966 at the 2000 census...
) is an American Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Miami Marlins. He is listed as 6'2" and 220, and made his major league debut on April 5, . Nolasco graduated in 2001 from Rialto High School
Rialto High School
Rialto High School is a public high school located in Rialto, California that opened in September 1992. It is operated by the Rialto Unified School District, and is a member of the San Andreas League....
, Rialto, California
Rialto, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Rialto had a population of 99,171. The population density was 4,434.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Rialto was 43,592 White, 16,236 African American, 1,062 Native American, 2,258 Asian, 361 Pacific Islander, 30,993 from other...
and was drafted out of high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, in the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
, in the 4th round by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. The Florida Marlins acquired him, Sergio Mitre
Sergio Mitre
Sergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...
, and Renyel Pinto
Renyel Pinto
Renyel Eligio Pinto is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He made his major league debut on May 18, .-Career:...
from the Cubs for Juan Pierre
Juan Pierre
Juan D'Vaughn Pierre is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed....
on December 7, 2005.
Nolasco started the season as a middle reliever, but quickly found his way to the top of the rotation as Florida's top starting pitcher. On August 19, 2008, he pitched a two-hitter against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. With one out in the 9th inning, he gave up a double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
; the only other hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
given up by him was a ball deflected off the glove of first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Mike Jacobs. Nolasco also had a two-run double in the game. Nolasco won 15 games in 2008, putting him in the top 5 in wins in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
Nolasco was named the 2009 Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
starter, throwing in six innings and win against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. On September 30, 2009, Nolasco struck out 16 batters, breaking A.J. Burnett's record for 14 strikeouts in a single game for the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
In December 2010, Nolasco agreed to a contract extension with the Marlins to remain with the team through 2013.
On August 23, 2011, Nolasco became the Marlins franchise leader in strikeouts, overtaking Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
.