Washington Nationals: Sean Nolin Signs KBO Deal

Former Nationals pitcher Sean Nolin is taking his talents to the KBO.

Due to countless injuries, the Nationals 2021 starting rotation played a continuous game of musical chairs, with 13 different pitchers making at least one start.

Veteran Sean Nolin signed a minor league deal with the Nats in March and made his Nationals debut in August, his first MLB appearance in six seasons. In 10 appearances (five starts), Nolin went 0-2, with a 4.39 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and a 5.31 FIP.

After the 2021 season ended the Nationals signed him to a Minor League deal for 2022. A candidate to be the Nationals’ fifth starter, Nolin has found a better offer. The Nationals released Nolin so he could sign a one year with the Kia Tigers of the KBO. The contract is $600K guaranteed with another $300K in incentives.

This isn’t Nolin’s first time playing overseas, with the 32-year-old spending the 2020 season in Japan. He played for the Seibu Lions of the NPB, but only threw 21 1/3 innings. .

Nolin’s most notable moment with the National’s came when he intentionally hit Freddie freeman with a pitch. This was due to Juan Soto being hit the night before by Atlanta’s closer Will Smith. Nolin was suspended by Major League Baseball for five games.

Nolin made his MLB debut in 2013 with Toronto, allowing six runs across 1 1/3 innings. He only made one appearance with Toronto in 2014, allowing a solo homer in an inning of work. In 2015 he spent the season with the Oakland Athletics, posting a 5.28 ERA and a 5.13 FIP in 29 innings.  Command was a major issue, with Nolin striking out 15 and walking 13.

Since then, Nolin has bounced around different organizations’ Minor League systems, spending time with the Brewers, Rockies, White Sox, and Mariners. He also spent a season in the Atlantic League.

This isn’t the biggest blow for the Nationals, but their depth is thin and Nolin filled in nicely to end the season