Nicholas Frank Lodolo Bio
Nicholas Frank Lodolo is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022 and has quickly become a notable player in the league. Known for his pitching skills, Lodolo has shown promise and potential in his early career, contributing significantly to his team’s performance.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Frank Lodolo was born on February 5, 1998. He attended Damien High School in La Verne, California, where he played for the school’s baseball team as a pitcher. During his senior year, he achieved an impressive 8–2 win–loss record with a 1.97 earned run average (ERA), striking out 83 batters in 65 innings pitched. After his senior year, Lodolo was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 41st overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. However, he chose to attend Texas Christian University (TCU) to play college baseball for the TCU Horned Frogs instead. As a freshman at TCU in 2017, Lodolo made 17 appearances, including 15 starts, and compiled a 5–1 record with a 4.35 ERA. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Freshman Team. In 2018, as a sophomore, he continued to excel, going 7–4 with a 4.32 ERA and striking out 93 batters in 77 innings. He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team again. By the end of his junior season, Lodolo had established himself as a top prospect, finishing with a 6–6 record and a 2.36 ERA, striking out 131 batters in 103 innings. His college career statistics included an 18–11 record with a 3.55 ERA in 2582⁄3 innings.
Path to Baseball
Lodolo was considered one of the top prospects for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the seventh overall pick and signed for $5.43 million. After being drafted, he was assigned to the Billings Mustangs of the Rookie Advanced Pioneer League. In his first six starts with Billings, he posted a 0–1 record with a 2.45 ERA, striking out 30 batters in 18+1⁄3 innings. Following his time with Billings, he was promoted to the Dayton Dragons of the Single-A Midwest League. Unfortunately, he reached his innings limit and was shut down for the remainder of the year. In 2020, Lodolo did not play a minor league game due to the cancellation of the season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He began the 2021 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-A South, where he was named the league’s Player of the Month in May after compiling a 1.01 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 26+2⁄3 innings. He made ten starts with the Lookouts, finishing with a 2–1 record and a 1.84 ERA before being promoted to the Louisville Bats of the Triple-A East.
Nicholas Frank Lodolo Career
Early Career (2022)
On April 13, 2022, Lodolo was promoted to the major leagues by the Cincinnati Reds. He made his MLB debut that day as the starting pitcher against the Cleveland Guardians, where he pitched four innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and taking the loss. In his rookie season, Lodolo recorded a 4–7 record with a 3.66 ERA in 1031⁄3 innings, leading the majors in hit batsmen with 19.
Breakthrough (2023-2025)
To begin the 2023 season, Lodolo made seven starts for the Reds, but struggled with a 6.29 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 34+1⁄3 innings pitched. He was sidelined with an ankle/calf injury, which led to an MRI revealing a stress reaction in his tibia. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on June 3, 2023, and subsequently missed the remainder of the season. In 2024, Lodolo rebounded with a 9–8 record and a 4.76 ERA, striking out 122 batters in 1151⁄3 innings. On July 23, 2025, Lodolo achieved a significant milestone by recording his first career complete-game shutout against the Washington Nationals in a 5–0 victory. This performance marked a high point in his career, showcasing his potential as a leading pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.
Notable Works and Milestones
Nicholas Frank Lodolo’s signature work includes his impressive debut season and his first complete-game shutout, which solidified his status as a key player for the Cincinnati Reds. His ability to strike out batters and maintain a competitive ERA demonstrates his talent and potential for future success in Major League Baseball.
Nicholas Frank Lodolo Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nicholas Frank Lodolo has received recognition for his performances, particularly during his time in college and early professional career.
Nicholas Frank Lodolo Awards Won
Nicholas Frank Lodolo has not yet won any major awards in his professional career, but his achievements in college and early career have set a strong foundation for future accolades.
