| IP | 150.2 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.24 |
| WHIP | 1.25 |
| BB/9 | 2.03 |
| SO/9 | 7.53 |
- Full name Ryne Tanner Nelson
- Born 02/01/1998 in Henderson, NV
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 184 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Oregon
- Debut 09/05/2022
-
Drafted in the 2nd round (56th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 (signed for $1,100,000).
View Draft Report
Previously a two-way player for Oregon who played shortstop and also served as the Ducks’ closer, Nelson transitioned into a full-time pitching role this spring and attempted to start in his first four games. That experiment didn’t go well, and Nelson quickly returned to a relief role. He has one of the most electric arms in the country, with a 70-grade fastball that has reached the 99-100 mph range at its best. However, the pitch hasn’t played to that level this spring, and he gets hit more than scouts would expect given the premium velocity. He also has a three-year track record of being a below-average strike-thrower in the Pac-12. Despite those knocks, Nelson pairs his fastball with an above-average slider that flashes plus with the potential to a be a true out-pitch. He also throws a fringe-average curveball and changeup. Nelson entered the season with huge stuff and the hope that he could showcase a viable path to starting, but he’s most likely a long-term reliever. As a plus athlete with a 6-foot-3, 184-pound frame, teams might still want to gamble on his pure stuff early on Day 2 of the draft. He hasn’t focused exclusively on pitching for much time at all, and pro player development might be able to make the tweaks necessary for Nelson to become a shutdown reliever at the next level, but there is plenty of work to be done to reach that level.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Nelson was a two-way player at Oregon before becoming a full-time pitcher in 2019. An unrefined power arm when the D-backs drafted him, Nelson showed up at instructional league in the fall of 2020 looking far more polished. He followed that with a strong 2021 season. Last year, he grinded through the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, reaching the majors late in 2022 and pitching well before his year ended due to a minor shoulder issue.
Scouting Report: Nelson averaged 93 mph with his fastball at Triple-A Reno, but he sat closer to 95 during his time in the majors. The pitch has excellent life, which allows him to throw it up in the zone. Nelson has total confidence in his fastball, leaning on it in tight situations and using it to overpower hitters even in fastball counts. He throws a firm slider and a slower curveball, both of which have good downward action. The two can alternate between being his best secondary pitch. His changeup, his fourth-best pitch, is inconsistent but flashes plus. Nelson has a clean, repeatable delivery that allows him to throw quality strikes with consistency. He is a good competitor who maintains an even-keeled demeanor. He impressed teammates in the majors with his ability to process information and develop a game plan.
The Future: After his three dazzling starts in the big leagues in September, Nelson is well-positioned to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. Failing that, he could be one of the first reinforcements if help is needed. Still lacking a wipeout secondary pitch, he continues to best profile as a midrotation starter, but his fastball is dominant enough to allow the D-backs to hope he is even more.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 55 -
Track Record: After years as a two-way player, Nelson began focusing solely on pitching at Oregon in 2019. The D-backs liked what they saw and selected him with the 56th overall pick after that season. Nelson was more projection than performance when he was drafted, but he showed up at instructional league in 2020 looking more refined and continued that progression through a breakout 2021 season. He went 7-4, 3.17 in 22 starts as he rose from High-A to Double-A and finished tied for fourth in the minors with 163 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: Nelson has a slow, methodical delivery, then overwhelms hitters with a fastball that averages 94 mph with high spin rates. He produces rise and carry on his fastball and learned to better locate the pitch up in the zone last year. He also cleaned up his delivery, getting himself more on line and making it more repeatable. Nelson’s average curveball and slider alternate as his best secondary offering, but his curveball might pair best with his fastball. After years of tinkering, he found a changeup grip he likes—he calls it a hybrid circle change—and the pitch took significant strides to become fringy. After years of below-average control, Nelson finally started throwing strikes consistently in 2021, the biggest difference-maker in his season.
The Future: Given Nelson’s relative newness to solely pitching, he could still have significant growth ahead. His control improvements have started to quiet concerns about a future move to the bullpen, with more observers now envisioning a potential mid-rotation starter.
-
TRACK RECORD: Nelson shifted his focus to pitching at Oregon in 2019 after spending his first two years as a two-way player. He struggled with command and control and was dropped from the Ducks' rotation to the bullpen, but his power stuff convinced the D-backs to draft him in the second round. He showed up at instructional league in 2020 looking like a different pitcher, giving the D-backs hope he could develop into a starter.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nelson has a lighting-fast arm that generates fastballs that sit 94-95 mph, touch 98 and have excellent life through the zone. He has two additional weapons in his curveball and slider. His curveball is the better pitch when he throws it hard in the 83 mph range, while his slider generates good sweep despite Nelson's high arm slot. He made big strides with his changeup, but it remains his fourthbest offering. Nelson's control has always been the question mark. The progress he made to average was a bright spot in 2020 for the D-backs, who no longer have to squint to see a future starter.
THE FUTURE: Nelson will need to continue progressing to stick in the rotation. High Class A is likely his next test. -
TRACK RECORD: A two-way player who stood out as a shortstop his first two years at Oregon, Nelson moved to pitching full-time in 2019. He featured some of the most electric stuff in his draft class, but while he missed bats at a high clip, he was also more hittable than the stuff would suggest. The Diamondbacks took a chance on the arm and athleticism, drafting him in the second round.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nelson has an athletic delivery and a long but lightning-quick arm action. His fastball touches 99-100 mph and his curveball was his best secondary pitch during his pro debut. He also throws a slider, split changeup and cutter, the latter of which might be shelved for the time being. Nelson began ironing out some mechanical issues after signing. The club is hopeful his above-average body control and athleticism will allow him to become consistent mechanically and develop the command to start.
THE FUTURE: An excellent athlete with a low-mileage arm, the Diamondbacks will work to develop Nelson as a starter, knowing he has a fallback as a power-armed reliever.
Draft Prospects
-
Previously a two-way player for Oregon who played shortstop and also served as the Ducks' closer, Nelson transitioned into a full-time pitching role this spring and attempted to start in his first four games. That experiment didn't go well, and Nelson quickly returned to a relief role. He has one of the most electric arms in the country, with a 70-grade fastball that has reached the 99-100 mph range at its best. However, the pitch hasn't played to that level this spring, and he gets hit more than scouts would expect given the premium velocity. He also has a three-year track record of being a below-average strike-thrower in the Pac-12. Despite those knocks, Nelson pairs his fastball with an above-average slider that flashes plus with the potential to a be a true out-pitch. He also throws a fringe-average curveball and changeup. Nelson entered the season with huge stuff and the hope that he could showcase a viable path to starting, but he's most likely a long-term reliever. As a plus athlete with a 6-foot-3, 184-pound frame, teams might still want to gamble on his pure stuff early on Day 2 of the draft. He hasn't focused exclusively on pitching for much time at all, and pro player development might be able to make the tweaks necessary for Nelson to become a shutdown reliever at the next level, but there is plenty of work to be done to reach that level.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Nelson was a two-way player at Oregon before becoming a full-time pitcher in 2019. An unrefined power arm when the D-backs drafted him, Nelson showed up at instructional league in the fall of 2020 looking far more polished. He followed that with a strong 2021 season. Last year, he grinded through the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, reaching the majors late in 2022 and pitching well before his year ended due to a minor shoulder issue.
Scouting Report: Nelson averaged 93 mph with his fastball at Triple-A Reno, but he sat closer to 95 during his time in the majors. The pitch has excellent life, which allows him to throw it up in the zone. Nelson has total confidence in his fastball, leaning on it in tight situations and using it to overpower hitters even in fastball counts. He throws a firm slider and a slower curveball, both of which have good downward action. The two can alternate between being his best secondary pitch. His changeup, his fourth-best pitch, is inconsistent but flashes plus. Nelson has a clean, repeatable delivery that allows him to throw quality strikes with consistency. He is a good competitor who maintains an even-keeled demeanor. He impressed teammates in the majors with his ability to process information and develop a game plan.
The Future: After his three dazzling starts in the big leagues in September, Nelson is well-positioned to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. Failing that, he could be one of the first reinforcements if help is needed. Still lacking a wipeout secondary pitch, he continues to best profile as a midrotation starter, but his fastball is dominant enough to allow the D-backs to hope he is even more.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 55 -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Nelson was a two-way player at Oregon before becoming a full-time pitcher in 2019. An unrefined power arm when the D-backs drafted him, Nelson showed up at instructional league in the fall of 2020 looking far more polished. He followed that with a strong 2021 season. Last year, he grinded through the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, reaching the majors late in 2022 and pitching well before his year ended due to a minor shoulder issue.
Scouting Report: Nelson averaged 93 mph with his fastball at Triple-A Reno, but he sat closer to 95 during his time in the majors. The pitch has excellent life, which allows him to throw it up in the zone. Nelson has total confidence in his fastball, leaning on it in tight situations and using it to overpower hitters even in fastball counts. He throws a firm slider and a slower curveball, both of which have good downward action. The two can alternate between being his best secondary pitch. His changeup, his fourth-best pitch, is inconsistent but flashes plus. Nelson has a clean, repeatable delivery that allows him to throw quality strikes with consistency. He is a good competitor who maintains an even-keeled demeanor. He impressed teammates in the majors with his ability to process information and develop a game plan.
The Future: After his three dazzling starts in the big leagues in September, Nelson is well-positioned to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. Failing that, he could be one of the first reinforcements if help is needed. Still lacking a wipeout secondary pitch, he continues to best profile as a midrotation starter, but his fastball is dominant enough to allow the D-backs to hope he is even more.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60. Curveball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 55 -
BA Grade: 50/Medium
Track Record: After years as a two-way player, Nelson began focusing solely on pitching at Oregon in 2019. The D-backs liked what they saw and selected him with the 56th overall pick after that season. Nelson was more projection than performance when he was drafted, but he showed up at instructional league in 2020 looking more refined and continued that progression through a breakout 2021 season. He went 7-4, 3.17 in 22 starts as he rose from High-A to Double-A and finished tied for third in the minors with 164 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: Nelson has a slow, methodical delivery, then overwhelms hitters with a fastball that averages 94 mph with high spin rates. He produces rise and carry on his fastball and learned to better locate the pitch up in the zone last year. He also cleaned up his delivery, getting himself more on line and making it more repeatable. Nelson's average curveball and slider alternate as his best secondary offering, but his curveball might pair best with his fastball. After years of tinkering, he found a changeup grip he likes—he calls it a hybrid circle change—and the pitch took significant strides to become fringy. After years of below-average control, Nelson finally started throwing strikes consistently in 2021, the biggest difference-maker in his season.
The Future: Given Nelson's relative newness to pitching, he could still have significant growth ahead of him. His control improvements have started to quiet concerns about a future move to the bullpen, with more observers now envisioning a potential mid-rotation starter.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 45. Control: 50. -
Track Record: After years as a two-way player, Nelson began focusing solely on pitching at Oregon in 2019. The D-backs liked what they saw and selected him with the 56th overall pick after that season. Nelson was more projection than performance when he was drafted, but he showed up at instructional league in 2020 looking more refined and continued that progression through a breakout 2021 season. He went 7-4, 3.17 in 22 starts as he rose from High-A to Double-A and finished tied for fourth in the minors with 163 strikeouts.
Scouting Report: Nelson has a slow, methodical delivery, then overwhelms hitters with a fastball that averages 94 mph with high spin rates. He produces rise and carry on his fastball and learned to better locate the pitch up in the zone last year. He also cleaned up his delivery, getting himself more on line and making it more repeatable. Nelson’s average curveball and slider alternate as his best secondary offering, but his curveball might pair best with his fastball. After years of tinkering, he found a changeup grip he likes—he calls it a hybrid circle change—and the pitch took significant strides to become fringy. After years of below-average control, Nelson finally started throwing strikes consistently in 2021, the biggest difference-maker in his season.
The Future: Given Nelson’s relative newness to solely pitching, he could still have significant growth ahead. His control improvements have started to quiet concerns about a future move to the bullpen, with more observers now envisioning a potential mid-rotation starter.
-
TRACK RECORD: Nelson shifted his focus to pitching at Oregon in 2019 after spending his first two years as a two-way player. He struggled with command and control and was dropped from the Ducks' rotation to the bullpen, but his power stuff convinced the D-backs to draft him in the second round. He showed up at instructional league in 2020 looking like a different pitcher, giving the D-backs hope he could develop into a starter.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nelson has a lighting-fast arm that generates fastballs that sit 94-95 mph, touch 98 and have excellent life through the zone. He has two additional weapons in his curveball and slider. His curveball is the better pitch when he throws it hard in the 83 mph range, while his slider generates good sweep despite Nelson's high arm slot. He made big strides with his changeup, but it remains his fourthbest offering. Nelson's control has always been the question mark. The progress he made to average was a bright spot in 2020 for the D-backs, who no longer have to squint to see a future starter.
THE FUTURE: Nelson will need to continue progressing to stick in the rotation. High Class A is likely his next test. -
TRACK RECORD: Nelson shifted his focus to pitching at Oregon in 2019 after spending his first two years as a two-way player. He struggled with command and control and was dropped from the Ducks' rotation to the bullpen, but his power stuff convinced the D-backs to draft him in the second round. He showed up at instructional league in 2020 looking like a different pitcher, giving the D-backs hope he could develop into a starter.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nelson has a lighting-fast arm that generates fastballs that sit 94-95 mph, touch 98 and have excellent life through the zone. He has two additional weapons in his curveball and slider. His curveball is the better pitch when he throws it hard in the 83 mph range, while his slider generates good sweep despite Nelson's high arm slot. He made big strides with his changeup, but it remains his fourthbest offering. Nelson's control has always been the question mark. The progress he made to average was a bright spot in 2020 for the D-backs, who no longer have to squint to see a future starter.
THE FUTURE: Nelson will need to continue progressing to stick in the rotation. High Class A is likely his next test. -
TRACK RECORD: Nelson shifted his focus to pitching at Oregon in 2019 after spending his first two years as a two-way player. He struggled with command and control and was dropped from the Ducks' rotation to the bullpen, but his power stuff convinced the D-backs to draft him in the second round. He showed up at instructional league in 2020 looking like a different pitcher, giving the D-backs hope he could develop into a starter.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nelson has a lighting-fast arm that generates fastballs that sit 94-95 mph, touch 98 and have excellent life through the zone. He has two additional weapons in his curveball and slider. His curveball is the better pitch when he throws it hard in the 83 mph range, while his slider generates good sweep despite Nelson's high arm slot. He made big strides with his changeup, but it remains his fourthbest offering. Nelson's control has always been the question mark. The progress he made to average was a bright spot in 2020 for the D-backs, who no longer have to squint to see a future starter.
THE FUTURE: Nelson will need to continue progressing to stick in the rotation. High Class A is likely his next test. -
TRACK RECORD: A two-way player who stood out as a shortstop his first two years at Oregon, Nelson moved to pitching full-time in 2019. He featured some of the most electric stuff in his draft class, but while he missed bats at a high clip, he was also more hittable than the stuff would suggest. The Diamondbacks took a chance on the arm and athleticism, drafting him in the second round.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nelson has an athletic delivery and a long but lightning-quick arm action. His fastball touches 99-100 mph and his curveball was his best secondary pitch during his pro debut. He also throws a slider, split changeup and cutter, the latter of which might be shelved for the time being. Nelson began ironing out some mechanical issues after signing. The club is hopeful his above-average body control and athleticism will allow him to become consistent mechanically and develop the command to start.
THE FUTURE: An excellent athlete with a low-mileage arm, the Diamondbacks will work to develop Nelson as a starter, knowing he has a fallback as a power-armed reliever. -
TRACK RECORD: A two-way player who stood out as a shortstop his first two years at Oregon, Nelson moved to pitching full-time in 2019. He featured some of the most electric stuff in his draft class, but while he missed bats at a high clip, he was also more hittable than the stuff would suggest. The Diamondbacks took a chance on the arm and athleticism, drafting him in the second round.
SCOUTING REPORT: Nelson has an athletic delivery and a long but lightning-quick arm action. His fastball touches 99-100 mph and his curveball was his best secondary pitch during his pro debut. He also throws a slider, split changeup and cutter, the latter of which might be shelved for the time being. Nelson began ironing out some mechanical issues after signing. The club is hopeful his above-average body control and athleticism will allow him to become consistent mechanically and develop the command to start.
THE FUTURE: An excellent athlete with a low-mileage arm, the Diamondbacks will work to develop Nelson as a starter, knowing he has a fallback as a power-armed reliever. -
Previously a two-way player for Oregon who played shortstop and also served as the Ducks' closer, Nelson transitioned into a full-time pitching role this spring and attempted to start in his first four games. That experiment didn't go well, and Nelson quickly returned to a relief role. He has one of the most electric arms in the country, with a 70-grade fastball that has reached the 99-100 mph range at its best. However, the pitch hasn't played to that level this spring, and he gets hit more than scouts would expect given the premium velocity. He also has a three-year track record of being a below-average strike-thrower in the Pac-12. Despite those knocks, Nelson pairs his fastball with an above-average slider that flashes plus with the potential to a be a true out-pitch. He also throws a fringe-average curveball and changeup. Nelson entered the season with huge stuff and the hope that he could showcase a viable path to starting, but he's most likely a long-term reliever. As a plus athlete with a 6-foot-3, 184-pound frame, teams might still want to gamble on his pure stuff early on Day 2 of the draft. He hasn't focused exclusively on pitching for much time at all, and pro player development might be able to make the tweaks necessary for Nelson to become a shutdown reliever at the next level, but there is plenty of work to be done to reach that level.
Career Transactions
-
Arizona Diamondbacks activated RHP Ryne Nelson from the 15-day injured list.
-
Arizona Diamondbacks placed RHP Ryne Nelson on the 15-day injured list retroactive to September 11, 2024. Right shoulder inflammation.
-
Arizona Diamondbacks activated RHP Ryne Nelson from the 15-day injured list.
-
Arizona Diamondbacks placed RHP Ryne Nelson on the 15-day injured list. Right elbow contusion.
