Nick Pratto

Nicholas Michael Pratto (born October 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball first baseman in the Kansas City Royals organization.

Nick Pratto
Pratto with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2021
Kansas City Royals – No. 32
First baseman
Born: (1998-10-06) October 6, 1998
Huntington Beach, California
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
U-18 Baseball World Cup
2015 Osaka Team

Amateur career

Pratto hit a walk-off single for Huntington Beach in the 2011 Little League World Series championship game against Japan.[1][2] In 2015, he played for Team USA at the 18U Baseball World Cup.[3]

Pratto attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California his first two years of high school before transferring to Huntington Beach High School in Huntington Beach, California.[4] At Huntington Beach, he was teammates with Hagen Danner.[5][6] As a senior in 2017, he hit .330 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs.[7] He committed to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college baseball.[8]

Professional career

Pratto was considered one of the top prospects for the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[9] He was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the 14th overall pick in the draft.[10][11] He signed and was made his professional debut with the Arizona League Royals, posting a .247 batting average with four home runs, 34 RBIs and ten stolen bases over 52 games.[12] He spent 2018 with the Lexington Legends, slashing .280/.343/.443 with 14 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases over 127 games.[13]

Pratto spent 2019 with the Wilmington Blue Rocks.[14] Over 124 games, he slashed .191/.278/.310 with nine home runs and 46 RBIs.[15] Pratto did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]

Pratto holding his 2021 Minor League Gold Glove Award trophy at Werner Park

He began 2021 with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.[17] In June, Pratto was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game.[18] He was promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers in mid-July.[19] Over 124 games between the two teams, Pratto slashed .265/.385/.602 with 36 home runs, 98 RBIs, 28 doubles, and 12 stolen bases.[20] His 36 home runs were second in the minor leagues behind teammate MJ Melendez.[21] Following the season, he was awarded the Minor League Gold Glove Award as the best-fielding first baseman at any level of Minor League Baseball.[22]

Pratto was selected to the 40-man roster following the season on November 19, 2021.[23]

References
  1. "To be Nick Pratto". Goldcountrymedia.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  2. "California stuns Japan to claim Little League title". Espn.com. 28 August 2011.
  3. "Pratto, Danner savor their gold-medal adventure". Orange County Register. 11 September 2015.
  4. Sondheimer, Eric (10 June 2015). "Baseball: Pitcher Nick Pratto is leaving Mater Dei for Huntington Beach". Los Angeles Times.
  5. "Whicker: 'Nickenhagen' is a 1-2 punch for Huntington Beach baseball team". Los Angeles Daily News. 18 April 2017.
  6. Sondheimer, Eric (16 April 2017). "Hagen Danner, Nick Pratto continue to deliver in pressure situations". Los Angeles Times.
  7. "Huntington Beach's Danner, Pratto share Sunset League MVP award". Los Angeles Times. 22 June 2017.
  8. Sondheimer, Eric (30 August 2013). "Baseball: Freshman pitcher Nick Pratto commits to USC". Los Angeles Times.
  9. "MLB.com 2017 Prospect Watch". Major League Baseball.
  10. "Royals tab first baseman Pratto with top pick". MLB.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  11. "Huntington Beach's Pratto thrills the home fans by being drafted No. 14 overall". 13 June 2017.
  12. "Nick Pratto Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  13. "Q&A: Prospect Pratto on growth spurt, pro ball". MLB.com.
  14. "Kansas City Royals". Kansascity.com.
  15. "Royals prospect Nick Pratto embraces offseason opportunity to grow, learn from 'horrific' season". Theathletic.com.
  16. "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
  17. "Naturals roommates shine bright in Northwest Arkansas". 10 June 2021.
  18. "Futures Game rosters are STACKED". MLB.com.
  19. "Royals promote Bobby Witt Jr., Nick Pratto to AAA". Kshb.com. 19 July 2021.
  20. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article256485371.html
  21. "Princely trio of sluggers ready to become Royals".
  22. Rogers, Anne (November 12, 2021). "Pratto, Massey win MiLB Gold Gloves". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  23. "Royals' Nick Pratto: Rewarded with 40-man roster spot".
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