Topic: Ricky Nolasco

Carlos Enrique "Ricky" Nolasco (born December 13, 1982 in Corona, California) is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Florida Marlins. He is listed as 6'2" and 220, and made his major league debut on April 5, 2006. Nolasco, who is an American, graduated in 2001 from Rialto High School, Rialto, California and was drafted out of high school, in the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft, in the 4th round by the Chicago Cubs. The Florida Marlins acquired him, Sergio Mitre, and Renyel Pinto from the Cubs for Juan Pierre on December 7, 2005.

Nolasco started the 2008 season as a middle reliever, but quickly found his way to the top of the rotation as Florida's top starting pitcher. On August 19, 2008, he pitched a two-hitter against the San Francisco Giants. With one out in the 9th inning, he gave up a double; the only other hit given up by him was a ball deflected off the glove of first baseman Mike Jacobs. Nolasco also had a two-run double in the game. Nolasco won 15 games in 2008, putting him in the top 5 in wins in the National League.

Nolasco was named the 2009 Opening Day starter, throwing in six innings and win against the Washington Nationals. On September 30, 2009, Nolasco struck out 16 batters, breaking A.J. Burnett's record for 14 strikeouts in a single game for the Florida Marlins.