Nick Kingham

A borderline top 100 real life prospect back in 2014 and 2015, Kingham's stock took a hit when he needed Tommy John surgery in 2015, which limited him to 77.1 innings across 2015 and 2016. When the training wheels came off and he was allowed to eclipse 100 innings in 2017, his production left a lot to be desired. It was thought that while there is a place in any organization for a big 6-foot-6 righty who can log a 4.13 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 113.1 innings at Triple-A, his 19.3 percent strikeout rate as a 25-year-old seemed to signal that there wasn't much fantasy upside worth chasing. However, a much improved 84-mph slider combined with a well-located 93-mph fastball resulted in a career-best 30.3 percent strikeout rate in his first four starts back at Triple-A in 2018. This earned him the first big-league start of his career in late April against the Cardinals, during which he took a perfect game into the seventh inning and finished with nine strikeouts in seven shutout frames. That outing bought him more time in the Pirates' rotation, and if his fastball/slider combination can continue to flummox hitters the way it has through his first five starts of the season, he'll end up being one of the better waiver-wire finds of 2018.

Tommy John surgery likely derailed Kingham's major league debut in 2015. The righty made just six Triple-A starts before elbow pain forced him to go under the knife. In 2014, he registered a 3.34 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 119:52 K:BB in 159 innings split evenly between Double-A and Triple-A. The 2010 fourth-round pick commands three pitches but none is considered a wipeout pitch. His velocity dropped a couple miles per hour when he returned to action in July of 2016, but he compiled 46 innings, which should help him heading into 2017. Kingham isn't necessarily in the mold of an elite pitching prospect such as Gerrit Cole or Jameson Taillon, but he could settle into the role of a solid No. 4 starter as soon as the summer of 2017.

Kingham missed most of 2015 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in late May. As a result, he probably won’t be back on the mound until middle of the 2016 and it’s unlikely he helps fantasy owners. When healthy, the 6-foot-5 righty commands three pitches — including a fastball, curveball and changeup — though none of his offerings are dominant. The 24-year-old posted a 3.34 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 119:52 K:BB ratio in 159 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2014. Kingham missed a golden opportunity to make his debut in Pittsburgh last season, and he may now have to wait until 2017 before getting another chance.

Kingham might not have the ceiling of Tyler Glasnow or Jameson Taillon, but he put himself on the map with an impressive 2014. In fact, there was a groundswell of support among the Pirates' fan base to promote Kingham to the majors after he posted a 2.30 ERA in his first 16 starts (97.2 innings) split between Double-A and Triple-A. He cooled off after that, finishing with a combined 3.34 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 119:52 K:BB ratio in 159 innings. Kingham is more of a control pitcher with decent stuff but he probably won't strike out too many batters (6.7 K/9). At the least, the 23-year-old looks like a possible No. 3 starter with a big frame (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) who can eat innings. He could make his major league debut in 2015 with a good start and a few injuries to Pittsburgh's rotation.

Kingham ranks in the top five among Pittsburgh's starting pitching prospects after a breakout season split between High-A and Double-A in 2013. He compiled a 3.09 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 70 innings for Bradenton, earning a promotion to Altoona, where he posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 73.1 frames. He utilizes a three-pitch arsenal, including a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s, curve and changeup. Kingham featured a combined 144:44 K:BB ratio and will likely start 2014 in Double-A. If he can improve upon the 69:30 BB:K ratio he registered for Altoona, then a move to Triple-A could follow later in the summer.