Pirates' Nick Kingham: Overcoming surgery will make debut "sweeter"

Whether he is promoted this year or next, the major league debut of Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Nick Kingham will serve as a testament to post-Tommy John surgery success.

Sometimes going down the road less traveled makes the destination more satisfying.

Kingham, a fourth round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates, lived a pitcher’s worst nightmare when he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2015. The 6’5″ right-hander was a phone call away from PNC Park and had exhibited his potential with Triple-A Indianapolis. Then in a matter of six starts, he was back to square one.

“My outlook on it was I knew where I was before, and I knew what level of performance I was competing at. That was just the last thing in my mind before I got hurt,” Kingham said. “I was trying everything I could to get back to that level.

“I think that led to a little bit of failure. I was forcing it and trying to make it happen and everything instead of letting my arm find me, letting my delivery find me.”

On his way back, Kingham experienced his fair share of hiccups. Last season, he allowed six earned runs in his final start with Double-A Altoona. Fast forwarding to this year, the 25-year-old surrendered three or more runs in five consecutive International League starts, ballooning his 3.00 ERA to just under 5.00.

Pittsburgh’s ninth-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com, persevered through the turbulence by making adjustments in his approach.

“The biggest thing is I was trying too hard to not make bad pitches,” Kingham admitted. “I was not pitching scared, but I was being a little too nit-picky with my pitches.

“I’m just going to throw it up there, and I want them to put the ball in play now. … I go out there and just try to throw my pitches, rather than trying to be too fine or too perfect.”

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Following MLB’s All-Star break, the Texas native has showcased his new mindset. In his last seven outings, Kingham has posted six quality starts and owns a 5-0 record. Also, he accomplished something he had never done before as a professional: Throw a complete game.

“It’s definitely one of the coolest things I’ve done in my professional career,” said Kingham, who hurled nine victorious innings of one-run baseball on August 10. “I don’t think I’ve kept any balls [before] but I have that ball in my locker, right now.

“I understand it is a minor league game and it’s kind of cheesy to keep minor league balls, but complete games, those are hard to come by. I think that is something I’ll definitely remember forever.”

Another moment the Sierra Vista product is sure to remember forever is his major league debut. Currently at 113 1/3 innings this season, Kingham is still a long way from his career high (159). Thus, he has no desire to forgo any starts, whether in Pittsburgh or Indianapolis.

“I’m feeling better now than I did in Spring Training and midseason,” Kingham said. “I’m ready to go, and I hope they don’t pull the reins back now because I’m feeling like I’m in a good spot.”

Next: Pirates' Clay Holmes nearing career-highs

And if he does receive the promotion that has eluded him, Kingham says no words will be able to describe the fulfillment of his dream.

“Without the rain, there’s no rainbows,” he said. “I feel like the downs will make it so much sweeter and make it — I don’t even know the word.

“If it happens, it will be worth every single moment of it. From putty squeezes to push-ups on the table to throwing two years on the backfields of Pirate City. It’s going to be something — I can’t even explain it.”

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