Albany’s rookie righty showed flashes, but the command and run prevention still need polish
In the 2026 season, freshman right-hander Zach Nalawadi gave Albany a live arm with starter-sized innings and some swing-and-miss upside, but his results were uneven: he took multiple losses early, then earned a win with 3.0 scoreless innings against Le Moyne. The differentiator is his size and projection—listed at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds—and the fact that he’s already trusted in meaningful relief work. He looks like a developmental fit for a staff that values upside, innings, and competitiveness, even if the stat line says the roller coaster is still real.