Nolan Blackwood

Nolan Blackwood (born March 16, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.

Nolan Blackwood
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1995-03-16) March 16, 1995
Memphis, Tennessee
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Amateur career

Blackwood attended Southaven High School in Southaven, Mississippi, where he developed his side-arm delivery, saying, "In high school one day, I was having arm issues. My elbow kept bothering me, and my high school coach said, 'Hey, drop it down and just see how it feels and see how you do.' My first bullpen [session] I threw like that, I think I threw like 90 percent strikes."[1] He would help lead the school to a state championship in 2013 as a senior, allowing just a single run in 49.2 innings.   Blackwood went on to attend the University of Memphis where he set a program record for appearances as a freshman (31) following that up with a program record in saves as a sophomore (14). In 2015, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2] Blackwood spent three years at Memphis finishing his career with 24 saves, a 7–9 record, a 2.32 ERA, and 77 strikeouts in 116.1 innings.[3]  

Professional career

Oakland Athletics

Blackwood was drafted by the Oakland Athletics as a 16th round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Blackwood spent the majority of his season in A-ball with five appearances for the Vermont Lake Monsters and 13 appearances for the Beloit Snappers finishing with 25 strikeouts in 26.1 innings and a 2–2 record with a 3.26 ERA in his first pro season. He spent the full 2017 season with the High-A Stockton Ports where he held batters to a .205 average, made 19 saves in 20 opportunities, and struck 48 batters out compared to 18 walks. He finished the year with a 1–5 record and 3.00 ERA. He started the 2018 campaign with the Double-A Midland RockHounds in the Oakland organization.

Detroit Tigers

On August 18, 2018, the Athletics would trade Blackwood to the Detroit Tigers along with a player to be named later (eventually Logan Shore) for Mike Fiers.[4] Blackwood played six games in the Tigers organization with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and finished 2018 with a 6–4 record and 4.13 ERA over 45 Double-A appearances in the Oakland and Detroit organizations. Starting the 2019 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, Blackwood made just three appearances giving up seven earned runs in three innings. He returned to Erie where he had a career-low ERA (1.76) and career-high in strikeouts (61), more than in any other full season. He held batters to just a .211 average and struck out 61 in 66.1 innings. He would also finish with a 6–4 record while earning four saves.[5]

Blackwood did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] He returned to Toledo in 2021, registering a 5-0 record and 4.92 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched across 37 appearances. He spent the 2022 season with Toledo as well, pitching in 44 games and logging a 2-1 record and 3.81 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 49.2 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.[7]

Seattle Mariners

On February 3, 2023, Blackwood signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization.[8] Blackwood was released by the Twins on March 24.[9]

On March 30, 2023, Blackwood signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.[10] In 36 appearances for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, he logged a 3–4 record and 4.75 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 47+1⁄3 innings pitched. On August 20, Blackwood was released by Seattle.[11]

References
  1. "Blackwood's sidearm 'funk' impresses Tigers". MLB.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  2. "Nolan Blackwood - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  3. "Nolan Blackwood - 2016 - Baseball". University of Memphis Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  4. "Tigers, Athletics Complete Mike Fiers Trade". MLB Trade Rumors. September 19, 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  5. "Nolan Blackwood Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  6. "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  7. "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  8. "Twins' Nolan Blackwood: Joins MIN on MiLB deal". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  9. "Transactions". MiLB.com.
  10. "Transactions". MiLB.com.
  11. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-08-20
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