Nazier Mulé: The 100-mph Man Rising with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Under the sun at Pelicans Ballpark on a Thursday evening, Nazier Mulé steps onto the mound, his 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame a testament to raw power and untapped potential. At 20, the Chicago Cubs’ 2022 fourth-round draft pick is a pitcher whose fastball once hit 100 mph as a teenager, a two-way high school phenom from Paterson, New Jersey, now forging his path with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Drafted for his electric arm and potent bat, Mulé’s journey from a 16-year-old velocity prodigy to a professional pitcher is a saga of talent, injury, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of a big-league dream.
Mulé’s story began in Paterson, where baseball was more than a game—it was an escape, a passion, and a path. Raised in a tight-knit family, he honed his skills on local fields, his athleticism evident early. By high school at Passaic County Technical Institute, he was a two-way star, a shortstop with pop and a pitcher with a rocket arm. At 16, during the 2021 MLB/USA Baseball High School All-American Game, Mulé made jaws drop, uncorking a fastball clocked at 100 mph. For a sophomore barely old enough to drive, it was a rare feat, marking him as one of the nation’s top prep prospects. Scouts saw a future ace as his fastball already sat 93-96 mph with a slider that flashed plus potential.
At Passaic Tech, Mulé’s dominance was undeniable. His senior year, he hit .427, led North Jersey with eight home runs, and drove in 38 RBIs, showcasing raw power at the plate. On the mound, he compiled a 9-2 record with a 2.18 ERA, striking out 163 batters over 93 career innings. But arm fatigue forced a pause. Mid-season, he stopped pitching, focusing as a designated hitter to protect his arm. “Last summer, I was going out there trying to check off that ‘velo’ box,” Mulé told NorthJersey.com. “So, I was more focused on throwing than actually competing. There were some showcase events where I did go out there and do very well.” The decision preserved his draft stock, keeping him in the national spotlight.
The Chicago Cubs took notice. In the 2022 MLB Draft, they selected Mulé 113th overall, offering a $1 million signing bonus—nearly double the slot value of $538,600. It was enough to sway him from a University of Miami scholarship. “I’m still determining [the decision] with my family,” he told NorthJersey.com days after the draft. “I have a little bit of time before I have to report... we’re leaning more one way than the other, but it’s just not ready to be announced yet.”
Ultimately, he chose the pros, drawn by the Cubs’ willingness to explore his two-way capabilities. “The Cubs, I spoke with them about both,” he said. “I’m not sure what their intentions would be with me when I get there, whether they want me to just pitch or whether they want me to do both. Regardless of their intentions, I’m ready to fulfill that role and perform to the best of my ability.”
Scouts were divided on his future. MLB.com described him as a “legitimate two-way threat,” with a fastball that could still touch 100 mph and a mid-80s slider with bite, though his control wavered at peak velocity. His bat, per Baseball America, showed “raw power” but an “incredibly raw” approach, prone to swing-and-miss issues. The Cubs, led by scouting vice president Dan Kantrovitz, leaned toward his pitching, that teenage 100-mph arm a tantalizing asset. Yet, they kept the door ajar for hitting, envisioning him as a potential outfielder or first baseman if the bat developed.
Then came the crucible. In spring 2023, Mulé’s UCL tore, requiring Tommy John surgery. His anticipated 2023 pro debut vanished, replaced by a grueling rehab process. Mulé relocated to Mesa, Arizona, the Cubs’ spring training hub, where he attacked rehab with the same intensity he brought to the mound. He even took reps at shortstop, retraining his arm’s motion to stay active. His sole ambition was to return to throwing before the start of the 2024 season. The setback tested his resolve, but Paterson’s grit and his family’s unwavering support—daily calls from his parents, encouragement from friends and teammates—kept him grounded.
Mulé’s comeback began in 2024. After a brief tune-up in the Arizona Complex League, he debuted with the Pelicans on May 31, 2024, tossing two innings against the Charleston RiverDogs. Over 13 starts, he logged 41.1 innings, posting a 3.95 ERA and holding opponents to a .187 batting average. His fastball, graded 70/80 by prospect analysts, sat 94-97 mph, paired with that mid-80s slider and a developing curveball, but command remained elusive—32 walks against 31 strikeouts highlighted the gap between his electric stuff and consistency. “The problem with Mulé is that he just doesn’t throw either pitch for a strike very often,” wrote Bleed Cubbie Blue, suggesting a future in the bullpen if control doesn’t improve.
Now, in 2025, Mulé is a cornerstone of the Pelicans’ rotation, ranked among the Cubs’ top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline. His focus, as he told MiLB.com, is “staying healthy and progressing with his pitch development.” He’s working on a changeup, a pitch the Cubs believe could elevate him to a mid-rotation starter. Off the field, he’s a quiet leader,yet he carries himself with humility, often crediting his family for his resilience. “They’ve been my rock,” he told MiLB.com, reflecting on his rehab. “Knowing they’re behind me makes the hard days easier.”
At Pelicans Ballpark, Mulé’s outings draw crowds eager to see the kid who threw 100 mph at 16. His fastball still roars, his curveball bites, and his potential is boundless. The Cubs see a starter’s ceiling, but his command and secondary pitches must prove consistent.
From Paterson’s sandlots to Myrtle Beach’s mound, Mulé’s journey is a testament to talent and tenacity. With every pitch, he’s one strike closer to Wrigley Field, carrying the dreams of a 16-year-old who dared to throw 100 mph.
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