The Pittsburgh Pirates surprised many by trading right-handed relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas to their divisional rival, the Cincinnati Reds. Announced by the Pirates, this deal involves Nicolas moving to the Reds after completing his World Baseball Classic duties with Team Italy, while the Pirates acquire versatile prospect Tyler Callihan in return.
With the Pirates’ 40-man roster already full, Callihan’s addition ensures he is eligible for a potential major league call-up, signaling the team’s intent to integrate the young player into their future plans.
What Tyler Callihan Brings to the Pirates
Tyler Callihan, who appeared in four Major League Baseball (MLB) games last season, faced setbacks after a forearm fracture sustained during a collision in left field in early May 2025, which ended his playing time for that year. Drafted in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Reds from Providence School in Jacksonville, Florida, Callihan spent six seasons developing in the minor leagues.
Primarily a utility player, Callihan’s experience is centered on second base, but he has proven capable at first base, third base, and left field—the latter being where his injury occurred. His career minor league statistics include 262 starts at second base over 270 appearances, 61 starts at third base, 30 starts as designated hitter, 22 starts in left field, and 13 at first base.
Over 396 minor league games, he posted a batting line of .262/.332/.417, combining for a .749 OPS. His offensive contributions include 387 hits, 81 doubles, 18 triples, 37 home runs, 173 runs batted in, 144 walks, 378 strikeouts, and 88 stolen bases out of 106 attempts. Both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America ranked him as the Reds’ 19th-best prospect.
The Career of Kyle Nicolas with the Pirates
Kyle Nicolas arrived in Pittsburgh as part of a November 29, 2021 trade with the Miami Marlins that also involved catcher Jacob Stallings going to Miami and Zach Thompson and Connor Scott joining the Pirates. Nicolas spent all of 2022 pitching for Double-A Altoona, where he made 22 starts in 24 appearances, recording a 2-4 win-loss record and a 3.97 ERA over 90.2 innings. He struck out 101 batters while walking 47 and held opponents to a .216 batting average.
Starting 2023 in Altoona, Nicolas made 12 starts with a 3-5 record and a 4.36 ERA through 53.2 innings. He then moved up to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 16, where he shifted mostly to the bullpen, starting only six out of 23 games. There, his ERA was 6.20 with 64 strikeouts in 45 innings and an opposing batting average of .243. On September 19, the Pirates added Nicolas to their 40-man roster, though he struggled in MLB with an 11.81 ERA across four games.
The 2024 season saw Nicolas beginning at Indianapolis again, with nine appearances and an impressive 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings. He was called up to Pittsburgh on April 26 and pitched in 51 games, posting a 3.95 ERA, recording 55 strikeouts and 31 walks in 54.2 innings. His season ended prematurely due to a left oblique strain suffered on September 16, leading to a 15-day injured list placement.
In 2025, Nicolas did not make the Pirates’ Opening Day roster and started with Indianapolis. His early performance was inconsistent, allowing six earned runs in 4.2 innings before earning a call-up on April 10. Pitching in seven MLB games, he struggled with an ERA over 10.57. Sent back to Indianapolis on May 4, he improved significantly, allowing just one earned run over 9.2 innings.
Recalled on June 3 after Tanner Rainey was designated for assignment, Nicolas posted a 2.08 ERA in three appearances before returning to Triple-A. He was brought back up on August 1 to finish the season, displaying more stability in 21 outings with a 3.46 ERA over 26 innings and 26 strikeouts. Over the last three seasons combined, Nicolas appeared in 86 games, mostly in the past two years, with a 3-4 record, a 4.68 ERA, and 96 strikeouts in 98 innings.
Implications of the Trade for Both Teams
This transaction marks a significant move for both organizations. The Pirates gain a flexible utility player in Tyler Callihan, who offers depth across multiple positions and potential offensive contributions. His minor league performance and prospect status suggest Pittsburgh is investing in versatile, developmental talent.
For Kyle Nicolas, the trade presents a fresh opportunity to establish himself in Cincinnati’s bullpen after mixed results with Pittsburgh, which saw fluctuations between Triple-A and MLB, injuries, and inconsistent outings. Nicolas’ experience and potential can bolster the Reds’ relief options as he completes his international commitments.
Looking ahead, this trade reflects both teams’ strategic approaches during this season, with the Pirates focusing on long-term roster flexibility and prospect development, while the Reds acquire immediate pitching resources for their bullpen.
