Ryne Nelson

Ryne Nelson

28-Year-Old PitcherSP
Arizona Diamondbacks
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Despite being the team's most consistent starter in 2024, Nelson was shifted to the bullpen in 2025 to make room for free agent Corbin Burnes. How fitting that Burnes' elbow surgery (and Tommy John surgery) got Nelson back into the rotation. The right-hander was a top pitcher on the staff for a second consecutive season. In 23 starts, Nelson pitched 128 innings with a 3.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Arizona will commit to Nelson in the rotation to start 2026, as Burnes will be unavailable until at least the second half, and Zac Gallen rejected a qualifying offer. While Nelson's performed well as a starter the last two seasons, there are some warning signs. He's heavily reliant on his four-seamer (61.7 percent usage) and defense dependent (7.7 K/9). The next highest pitch was his cutter (12.2 percent). If he continues to locate the fastball (+23 Run Value), limit walks, and mix in more of the secondary offerings, Nelson could become more than a mid-rotation starter. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season From Preseason
#266
ADP
Signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Diamondbacks in January of 2026.
Earns first win
PArizona Diamondbacks
April 9, 2026
Nelson (1-1) allowed one run on five hits while striking out five over 5.2 innings, earning the win in Wednesday's 7-2 victory over the Mets.
Analysis
Nelson's first two starts of the season were marred by six walks and four home runs, uncharacteristic of the right-hander. There were no such issues the third time out. Nelson scattered two hits over five scoreless innings, before New York batters touched him for three singles and their lone run in the sixth. The bounce-back outing came it a good time for Nelson, as the Diamondbacks consider how best to incorporate Merrill Kelly (back) into the rotation. Kelly is scheduled for one more rehab start before being activated, meaning someone in the existing rotation will need to go. Based on the results thus far, the decision seemingly comes down to Nelson (4.20 ERA) and Brandon Pfaadt (6.75).
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Pitching Stats
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2026 MLB Game Log
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2026 MLB Game Log
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2025 MLB Game Log
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2024 MLB Game Log
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2023 MLB Game Log
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
83
Last 10 Games
83
Last 5 Games
83
How many pitches does Ryne Nelson generally throw?
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
What part of the game does Ryne Nelson generally pitch?
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2024
 
 
-17%
BAA vs LHP
2026
 
 
-13%
BAA vs LHP
2025
 
 
-20%
BAA vs LHP
2024
 
 
-16%
BAA vs LHP
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2024vs Left .215 635 117 45 125 25 9 18
Since 2024vs Right .259 678 153 36 164 37 9 20
2026vs Left .161 36 5 5 5 1 0 3
2026vs Right .185 28 7 1 5 0 0 1
2025vs Left .191 285 54 20 50 6 5 5
2025vs Right .239 334 78 21 74 19 4 12
2024vs Left .243 314 58 20 70 18 4 10
2024vs Right .288 316 68 14 85 18 5 7
More Splits View More Split Stats
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2024
 
 
-15%
ERA at Home
2026
 
 
-11%
ERA at Home
2025
 
 
-36%
ERA at Home
2024
 
 
-11%
ERA on Road
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2024Home 3.50 1.10 156.2 9 5 2 7.5 1.8 0.8
Since 2024Away 4.14 1.21 163.0 9 5 0 7.7 2.8 1.3
2026Home 3.86 1.29 4.2 0 1 0 5.8 5.8 3.9
2026Away 4.35 0.97 10.1 1 0 0 7.8 2.6 1.7
2025Home 2.71 0.97 86.1 5 1 1 7.7 1.8 0.7
2025Away 4.26 1.20 67.2 2 2 0 7.7 3.2 1.3
2024Home 4.52 1.26 65.2 4 3 1 7.3 1.5 0.7
2024Away 4.02 1.25 85.0 6 3 0 7.7 2.4 1.3
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Stat Review
How does Ryne Nelson compare to other starting pitchers?
This section compares his stats with all starting pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 120 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • K/BB
    Strikeout to walk ratio.
  • K/9
    Average strikeouts per nine innings.
  • BB/9
    Average walks per nine innings.
  • HR/9
    Average home runs allowed per nine innings.
  • Fastball
    Average fastball velocity.
  • ERA
    Earned run average. The average earned runs allowed per nine innings.
  • WHIP
    Walks plus hits per inning pitched.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits.
  • GB/FB
    Groundball to flyball ratio. The higher the number, the more likely a pitcher is to induce groundballs.
  • Left On Base
    The percentage of base runners that a pitcher strands on base over the course of a season.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Barrels/BBE
    The percentage of batted ball events resulting in a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Spin Rate
    Spin Rate is the rate of spin on a baseball after it is released. It is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
  • Balls Hit 95+ MPH
    The percentage of batted balls hit that met or exceeded the 95 MPH threshold.
  • Swinging Strike
    The percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss.
K/BB
1.17
 
K/9
6.8
 
BB/9
5.8
 
HR/9
3.9
 
Fastball
96.6 mph
 
ERA
5.79
 
WHIP
1.18
 
BABIP
.049
 
GB/FB
0.50
 
Left On Base
0.0%
 
Exit Velocity
85.1 mph
 
Barrels/BBE
10.7%
 
Spin Rate
2422 rpm
 
Balls Hit 95+ MPH
33.9%
 
Swinging Strike
10.4%
 
Prospect Rankings History
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Ryne Nelson See More
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Ryne Nelson See More
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2025
2024
2023
Nelson's improved strike-throwing ability in spring training earned him a spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation in 2024. He maintained that skill into the regular season and finished with 10 wins and the second-most innings among Arizona starters. The 26-year-old right-hander upped his strikeout rate to 20.0 percent (from 15.5 in 2023), moving from the sixth percentile to the 26th. An already good walk rate got better, while he shaved one run off his ERA (5.31 to 4.24) and cut down on home runs. In a promising sign, Nelson's performance improved deeper into the season, posting a 3.23 ERA and 28.7 K% over the second half. Still very much a two-pitch pitcher (fastballs and cutters), developing a third pitch might continue the righty's upward trajectory. There was enough development in his performance last year that he should not need to compete for a rotation spot in 2025, but Arizona signed free agent Corbin Burnes, which could push Nelson to the bullpen.
Nelson worked as a back-end starter for Arizona in 2023, but it was an underwhelming rookie campaign with a 5.31 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 96:46 K:BB across 144 innings. His 7.4 percent walk rate was solid and consistent with his time in the minors, but he had a 15.5 percent strikeout rate and a 1.5 HR/9. He still made the postseason roster and had a minimal role prior to the World Series, when he allowed just one run over 5.1 frames of valuable long relief in Game 4. Despite that strong finish, Nelson likely won't enter 2024 with any guarantee for a rotation spot, especially since Arizona made additions in free agency. However, the right-hander still has plenty of upside and was encouragingly less reliant on his fastball last season, and he could be a solid back-end piece in 2024 if he's able to better utilize his secondary offerings.
Nelson's 2022 season was quite the roller coaster. He gave up 43 earned runs over a 53.1-inning stretch from mid-April to mid-June, righted the ship somewhat over the next couple months, excelled over three MLB starts and ended the season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. His struggles in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League shouldn't be a prohibitive factor in his 2023 outlook, especially given that he had success at Double-A and in a small MLB sample. Nelson threw his plus fastball (touches 98 mph, excellent rising action) 70% of the time while mixing in a couple breaking balls and a changeup. He showed impressive flashes against quality big-league hitters and should break camp in Arizona's rotation if his shoulder issue is in the rearview mirror. There is some risk that his reliance on his fastball will be exploited as hitters see him a second time, but Nelson has legitimately good stuff and size (6-foot-3, 184 pounds) and a clear opportunity.
More Fantasy News
Done in by homers, defense
PArizona Diamondbacks
April 2, 2026
Nelson (0-1) took the loss against Atlanta on Thursday, allowing seven runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings.
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Struggles in third inning
PArizona Diamondbacks
March 27, 2026
Nelson allowed four runs on two hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.
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Makes final Cactus League start
PArizona Diamondbacks
March 22, 2026
Nelson allowed four hits and struck out seven over five scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against Texas.
Analysis
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Works four innings
PArizona Diamondbacks
March 17, 2026
Nelson allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six over four innings in Monday's spring start against the Reds.
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Begins four innings Wednesday
PArizona Diamondbacks
March 12, 2026
Nelson allowed three runs one two hits and one walk while striking out four over 3.1 innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Athletics.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Extension candidate?
PArizona Diamondbacks
December 21, 2025
Nelson is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility, which could prompt the Diamondbacks to pursue a contract extension, reports Jack Sommers of SI.com.
Analysis
The right-hander opened 2025 in a long-relief role but ended up starting in 23 of his 33 appearances since Corbin Burnes required Tommy John surgery in June. Nelson solidified his place in the rotation and finished the campaign with a 3.39 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 132:41 K:BB across 154 innings. He's projected to make about $2.4 million in his first season of arbitration eligibility, per Jack Sommers of SI.com, but Arizona could instead look to secure his services long-term.
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