Nolan Becker began the 2014 season in Extended Spring Training after two subpar tours in Billings. Becker maintained a solid 19.7% K-rate over this time, despite below average fastball velocity, but he was unable to succeed due to being very hittable (.335 BAA) and having a very high 13.9% walk rate.
The Cincinnati Reds assigned the big, tall lefty to Low Class-A Dayton on May 22nd, and from that point on he dominated the Midwest League. Becker first entered a game on May 25th and allowed a home run in two innings, with a walk and a strikeout. He pitched the remainder of May and the entire month of June, throwing 7.2 scoreless innings while allowing only three base runners and striking out eight batters.
After allowing his second home run of the season on July 5th, Becker preceded to dominate his competition for the month of July, as he allowed only two earned runs in 15.0 innings for a 1.20 ERA. The left-handed reliever posted an outstanding 29.7% K-rate and 0.93 WHIP, as well as a much-improved 6.3% walk rate for the month. Becker also showed his versatility, as he pitched multiple innings in seven out of eight appearances.
In August, Becker’s ERA took a step backwards, in large part due to serving up three gopher balls, as he posted a 4.26 ERA over 12.2 innings. But, he continued to post very strong peripherals, as he struck out 16 and walked only three batters during the month.
Overview
Nolan Becker entered his age 23-year old season as a toiling left-handed reliever slated to pitch a third straight season in rookie ball. After a midseason promotion to Dayton, Becker surprised the Reds’ brass with both increased velocity and much improved control, to have a very successful season out of the bullpen. Two factors contributing to his success were an improvement to his already above-average strikeout rate to 28.4%, and a cut to his walk rate to 5.8%, compared to his pre-2014 career mark of 13.9%. This led to a much better 2.17 ERA. Becker was even better against left-handed batters, as he struck out 32.5%, and held them to .152 batting average. Given his age and dominance of left-handed hitters, Becker is a candidate to be fast-tracked through the system, and could see time at multiple levels in 2015. If all else fails, a Yale education is not too shabby of a backup plan.
To view more 2014 Season Review articles, click here.
Season Stats
| Team | W | L | ERA | SV | IP | H | HR | BB | K | WHIP |
| Dayton | 1 | 2 | 2.17 | 1 | 37.1 | 28 | 5 | 9 | 44 | 0.99 |