With the fifth overall pick in this year’s Rule 5 Draft, the Washington Nationals selected 23-year-old shortstop Nassim Nunez. The player was a second-round pick out of Miami in 2019 and was selected by Baseball America sixth overall to the Marlins this winter.
Nunez played this year at Double-A Pensacola, hitting .225/.341/.286 with 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 87 walks, 107 Ks, and 52 stolen bases (in 59 tries), finished the season “tied for third in Double-A overall,” “tied for fourth in stolen bases,” and “fourth in walks,” as the club stated in a press release about the selection.
Nunez also said, “…ranked among Southern League batters in RBIs (T1).cent84), Walk (3)rd87) and hits (10th110)”, for that year, and “Also cited by…” baseball america As having “the best strike zone discipline” [as] Being the “fastest runner” and “the most defensive infielder,” [as] He has the “best infield arm” among the Marlins’ minor league players. ”
Nationals GM and Director of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo, speaking to reporters at the winter meetings from Nashville, Tennessee, called Nunez “…a young player with some elite talent.” ”, and the club stated, “…”. Great scouting is reporting on Nunez.”
“We’ve seen him a lot and we’ve worked a lot on his makeup and his attitude and stuff like that…but defensively he’s been great, played as an elite-level shortstop, his arm, his range, his finesse. Can play anywhere” in the middle of the field, and is a big stealer. We think there’s some upside to the bat, the bat is way behind the defense, but the guy we think has more of a bat issues walks, he’s pretty selective at the plate. , and that’s what we really thought we were trying to get as many tool-handling players up the middle of the field as possible and thought this was a way to get some kind of elite-type tool-handling players onto the roster. I did. ”
The problem, of course, is that a team that selects a player in the Rule 5 Draft must “…pay $100,000 to the club from which the player was selected.” As explained on MLB.com“… and Rule 5 draft picks are assigned directly to the drafting club’s 26-man roster and must be placed on full exemption in order to be removed from the 26-man roster the following season.”
“If a player clears waivers, he must be returned to his former team for $50,000 and can only be permanently transferred to the minors if his original club does not want to re-acquire him. ” Rule 5 draft picks can be placed on Major League Baseball’s injured list, but must be active for a minimum of 90 days to avoid being subject to the aforementioned roster restrictions in the next campaign. ”
Rizzo and others in the Nationals’ front office went through something like this last season after selecting right-hander Thaddeus Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft out of the Boston Red Sox’ system.
Ward bought enough time to make the major league roster (The IL and minor league rehab period will help make that possible.), so he remains with the organization and now has options and can return to development at his own pace.
“I thought it went well,” Rizzo said of his experience with Ward this season. “You’re going to take the players you like, the players you have options for and get out of there. It’s about the prospect pool, from the major league players who are on the 40-man roster to the players you have to keep there. There are even players who are coming back to the club and can be further developed.
“Obviously he was pitching in A ball, but he didn’t have a lot of experience beyond that, so he’ll be back there.”
And what about Nuñez? How are this year’s Rule 5 picks different from Ward?
“I think he can probably contribute at a higher rate,” Rizzo explained. “Because of the skill set that he has. If he comes along as advertised defensively, we could see Davey playing every position in the infield with a lead, guarding a lead, or something like that. He’s going to be a player who can play, steal big bases, and pinch hit. -Run for the guys, that type of thing.
“In that respect, it makes it a little bit easier to absorb players who aren’t used as much.
“If you look behind our bench last year, that’s what I think.” [Michael] Chavis had about 60 at-bats over the course of the season.
“I think this person is like this. [Nuñez], [manager] davie [Martinez] He will use him as he sees fit. But I think he has some value as a defensive replacement and as a base stealer and baserunner. ”
[ed. note – “* = Chavis got 96 plate appearances, 91 at-bats, on the year this past season.”]
Getting along with Nunez will be a challenge for the Nationals team.
““That’s going to be a challenge because obviously you can’t get as many at-bats at the big league level,” Rizzo said. “But I think with the coaching staff we have now and the amount of reps he’s getting outside of game time, I think there’s time. Some mechanical issues can really be ironed out and he can really get into the weight room.” ”, and improve his strength and flexibility.and I think he will give [Martinez] Off-the-bench options: Defensive replacement, elite defensive skills, base runner, base stealer, and player who can help win games at the major league level. ”
“We have young players who understand how to steal bases, and they can help us in a pinch,” Martinez told reporters in Nashville.
“Anytime you can get a young guy like that who can steal bases and change the game defensively, that’s always a plus.”
“The good thing is he’s 23 years old and an elite defender,” the manager added.
“I’ve seen some videos of him, and he can catch the ball. So I’m not afraid to use him on defense. We’re going to work with him to adapt the baseball to the situation.” We will look at ways to play the game.”
An elite defender and threat to steal bases, he manages to get on base while showing up at the plate. There are things the Nationals think they can work on this season.
“Look, you have to be on base to steal a base,” Martinez said.
“Somehow, he learned how to walk and move the baseball and break up infield hits and things like that. He could be a bit of a pest for us.
“So I’m looking forward to getting him, talking to him, kind of rejuvenating him, getting him ready for spring training and seeing where we are.” There is.”
Nassim Nunez is headed to the Nationals in today’s Rule 5 Draft.
We loved Nas when he was here in 2022. It was exciting on the field, and the fans were excited. Eggplant, I wish you good luck with eggplant! pic.twitter.com/C6FaK7vfup
— Beloit Sky Carp (@beloitskycarp) December 6, 2023
Rizzo said his glove, patience at the plate and ability to get on base give Nunez a good foundation.
“A lot of times, for these young players, especially the young tool players, strength is the last thing in their game. The strength that he has, coupled with the discipline at the plate, that’s what his defensive I think when you couple that with the criteria, you have a chance to get some really good players.”
“Scouts have him at an elite level as a defender,” Rizzo said.
“He’s got great feet, great distance, great arms, great athleticism, things like that, good speed and a quick first step, all the things a good middle infielder has.”
“He’s a great player who is willing to learn and willing to adjust,” Martinez said. “We think at some point in the future he’s going to learn how to hit a little bit more. We’re definitely going to work with him. We’re going to talk about that. [Hitting Coach] Darnell [Coles] We’ll be making plans for him in the next few days, but like I said, we love the athlete and what he can do, so we’re looking forward to it.
