San Diego Padres: Nick Margevicius Dominates In Fort Wayne Opener

The Fort Wayne TinCaps opened up their 2018 season with a loss, however, LHP prospect Nick Margevicius owned the night.

Minor league baseball is a quirky game, but that’s why we love it! Take last night’s Fort Wayne TinCaps season opener as an example. The TinCaps fell to the Lake County Captains (Cleveland Indians affiliate) by a score of 2-1, however, the TinCaps outhit the Captains 7-2, who also committed four errors. It was the eight walks allowed by the bullpen and three errors of their own which the TinCaps were unable to overcome.

Despite the loss, the story of the night was LHP prospect, Nick Margevicius. The 6’5″ 220 pound pitcher out of Rider University dominated on the mound. We highlighted Margevicius earlier this week as an under the radar prospect to watch in Fort Wayne. He’s not a Top 30 prospect (MLB Pipeline), but he’s still a valuable prospect in the San Diego farm system.

Margevicius made his presence known from the first pitch of the game, striking out the side in the first inning, all on swings and misses. He struck nine in total in his 5 2/3 innings of work. Eight of those came on swinging strikes. He didn’t allow a single free pass all night.

His high strikeout rate (now 71 in 53 career innings) and extremely low walk rate (just eight over his career) are exactly why fans should pay attention to Nick Margevicius. It’s only one start in full-season A ball, however, the 21-year-old may find himself as fast moving prospect through the farm system with a successful early part to the season.

He didn’t allow baserunner until the fourth inning, a hit-by-pitch. Margevicius responded by forcing Captains’ hitter Nolan Jones to ground into a 6-4-3 double play to clear the bases. The lone hit allowed by Margevicius came against the final batter he faced, a single that landed in front of Jeisson Rosario out in centerfield.

Next: Christian Villanueva Finds Success In San Diego

The TinCaps return to action tonight with Aaron Leasher, a sixth round pick in last year’s draft, looking to put up a solid start of his own.