Article: Will The Real Eduardo Nunez Please Stand Up?

[Cody Christie]

May I have your attention please

Will the real Eduardo Nunez please stand up?

I repeat, will the real Eduardo Nunez please stand up?

 

Where did this Eduardo Nunez guy come from? Why haven't the Twins played him more? Why can't he keep his helmet on? Many Twins fans have pondered these questions as Nunez has evolved into one of the most consistent hitters in the Twins line-up at the beginning of the 2016 campaign.Nunez joined the Twins before the 2014 season and he has been used sparingly over the last two seasons. In just under 400 at-bats, he hit .265/.299/.406 with 34 extra-base hits and a 60 to 17 strikeout to walk ratio. There were some that questioned whether he should be offered arbitration because he hadn't provided a lot of value during his Twins tenure.

 

At the start of the 2016 season, Nunez's playing time was limited through the team's first five games. However, he made himself known in game number six by going 4-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base against Royals, the defending World Series champions. Since that game, Nunez has hit .337/.365/.519 with 18 extra-base hits, 27 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. Those totals rank him second in the American League in steals and fourth in batting average.

 

After watching him for two seasons, it's hard to get a handle on this new and improved version of Nunez and there could be some reasons for the shift in his numbers.

 

Nunez has seen big jumps in batting average and slugging percentage. His rise in batting average can likely be attributed to a large jump in his BABIP. For his career, Nunez has posted a BABIP of just over .300 but he busted out of the gate with a .367 BABIP so far in 2016. With a pair of home runs in the Rays series, Nunez set a career high with seven home runs after never having more than five in a season.

 

In previous seasons, Nunez's on-base percentage has been 40 points higher than his batting average. This season he hasn't been drawing walks, with six walks in just over 180 plate appearances. He doesn't need to draw a lot of walks when his batting average is over .330 but he's also been striking out a lot. His career high in strikeouts was 51 in 2013 and he's on his way to shattering that total as he has already tallied 30 strikeouts.

 

Although Nunez has been producing at the plate, his defensive flaws have surfaced with his increased playing time. Last season in limited action, Nunez compiled a runs from fielding (Rfield) total of five. This means he was five runs better than an average player was in relation to all fielding. This year his Rfield total is currently negative five as he's posted negative marks at all three defensive positions he's played.

 

Every team gets an All-Star representative and Nunez has a chance to be Minnesota's lone player in the Mid-Summer Classic. His ability to play multiple defensive positions could be intriguing to the American League manager even if he is below average at all of the positions. It seems unlikely that many managers would want Nunez batting in an important spot with home field advantage in the World Series on the line but baseball is a game where strange things happen.

 

Twins fans have had little to cheer about this season but Nunez gives fans a reason to stand up. The real Eduardo Nunez might have been here all along. Unfortunately, he will likely follow the path of his helmet and coming crashing back down to earth at some point. For now, enjoy the ride.

 

I guess there is a little Eduardo Nunez in all of us.

Darn it, let's all stand up.

 

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[Seth Stohs]

I'm Eduardo Nunez. Yes, I'm the real Eduardo Nunez. All you other Eduardo Nunez's are just imitating. 

[operation mindcrime]

Does Nunez ever wear a helmet?

[Rosterman]

He was supposed to inherit the shortstop position after Jeter. But he wasn't doing something right (like hitting as he is today) combined with his fielding faults, which can be overlooked if you are in a non-competitive situation, or if he is, indeed, a super-sub.

 

Sometimes, he seems to be more than just a bench guy. He thrives when he plays. Yet, unless you are a last place team, you probably would avoid playing him on a regular basis...if you have a prospect to replace an injured guy. Not that he can't fill a role shortterm.

 

Or maybe he is coming into his own. But not sure if would want him at any position on a regular basis, and his bat only fits depending on what positions around can contribute. You can find more powerful guys to play third (Sano). It used to be that someone hitting .250 with a dozen homers would be a great shortstop. Not anymore, or not anymore depending on the stats of the guy, also, at second.

 

At somepoint, he becomes a luxury for a non-competitive team who might wish to utilize a Danny Santana instead, or make Escobar the fulltime utility guy if you do have a replacement shortstop, or play a Beresford off the bench or even a Doug Bernier.

 

Nunez is making the most of his opportunity and he should find a nice two-year contract if the Twins cut him loose. And, maybe after he appears as a Twin in the All-Star game, someone will offer us a worthwhile prospect or two (low level to be sure) and he will be in the pennant push.

 

Applaud the guy the Yankees gave up on, that we all wanted non-tendered in the fall. Good work, and that inside-the-parker smile is the highlight of this season!

[diehardtwinsfan]

He was a waiver pickup if I remember right.

 

Nunez is an interesting decision.  His bat has always been decent (though never quite this good).  I liked him in his role of a utility guy/pinch bat off the bench.  Now, he's hitting the cover off the ball, even if he's lacking with the glove.  He's got a couple years of control left, so do they keep him or ship him off for talent?  Keep him around for another year and he continues to play well, and suddenly he commands a kings ransom or becomes a key cog if a few other guys develop.  Trade him now, and he might get a B prospect if we're lucky, but I doubt other GMs give up a lot for him knowing he was a waiver pickup and that he's having a career year.

[Mr. Brooks]

He was a waiver pickup if I remember right.

 

 

Nope, we traded Miguel Sulbaran for him, and Sulbaran was previously acquired for Drew Butera.

[Platoon]

Personally I would sign him to a 4 year contract.

[Thrylos]

Poor man's Zobrist 

[alarp33]

 

Poor man's Zobrist 

 

In what way?  Other than they both have BABIP's quite a bit higher than their career averages this season I don't see any similarities.  Zobrist walks (12.3% career, 16.7% this year), Nunez doesn't (5.1% career, 3.1% this year). Career OBP Zobrist .358. Nunez .316. Career Slg% Zobrist .434 Nunez .406. ISO.  Zobrist .166, Nunez .130. Zobrist, switch hitter. Nunez, RHH.

 

 They both have played more than 1 position?  

[DaveW]

In what way? Other than they both have BABIP's quite a bit higher than their career averages this season I don't see any similarities. Zobrist walks (12.3% career, 16.7% this year), Nunez doesn't (5.1% career, 3.1% this year). Career OBP Zobrist .358. Nunez .316. Career Slg% Zobrist .434 Nunez .406. ISO. Zobrist .166, Nunez .130. Zobrist, switch hitter. Nunez, RHH.

 

They both have played more than 1 position?

I think he was referring to Nunez and his production in 2016 thus far.

[lukeduke1980]

 

Personally I would sign him to a 4 year contract.

 

Expect it.  

[HitInAPinch]

I guess there is a little Eduardo Nunez in all of us.
Darn it, let's all stand up.

 

Amen!!

 

I like everything about Nunez.  Ok, the defense could be better       But he's one of the reason's I keep watch the Twins.  I like the way he's hitting this year, the energy he plays with and, yes, some of the comical plays he makes.

 

Question:  Is it a fair to compare BABIP from his previous years as a sub to this year as a full-time starter?  Consistent repetitions can explain what we're seeing this year.  I just don't follow BABIP enough to judge.

[jorgenswest]

Nunez was DFA'd by the Yankees. Similar to JR Graham, they had 10 days to make a move and the Twins stepped in and acquired him. Even though he had an option left the Yankees did not only wanted to remove him from their 25 but also their 40. They did not feel he could play even a poor 2B and kept Dean Anna (as well as Solarte) in a utility role.

 

His poor defense is real and for that reason he doesn't comp well with Zobrist. His bat both last year and this year makes him one of the top 30 shortstops or third basemen even with the bad glove. His ultimate role for a team might be starting 3B. He has enough bat and it isn't as demanding defensively as SS. Teams in need of a 3B must be considering making the Twins an offer.

[mrmpls]

Nunez has evolved into one of the most consistent hitters in the Twins line-up at the beginning of the 2016 campaign.  Laughing as i read that- Who are the others?

[alarp33]

 

In previous seasons, Nunez's on-base percentage has been 40 points higher than his batting average. This season he hasn't been drawing walks, with six walks in just over 180 plate appearances. He doesn't need to draw a lot of walks when his batting average is over .330 but he's also been striking out a lot. His career high in strikeouts was 51 in 2013 and he's on his way to shattering that total as he has already tallied 30 strikeouts.

 

 

He's going to strike out more than his previous career high in 2013 because he is going to get to the plate more often.  His 2013 K rate was 15.2%, It's 15.4% this year.  Right around the career average of 13.5%

[amjgt]

 

May I have your attention please
Will the real Eduardo Nunez please stand up?
I repeat, will the real Eduardo Nunez please stand up?
 

 

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Stay sitting!

 

I like this Nunez.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Personally I would sign him to a 4 year contract.

 

I know this is a joke, but these are the types of things the FO needs to consider.  I get his BABIP is a bit high this year and if that is all that's fueling it, then I probably wouldn't do it (not to mention that his walk rate really hasn't changed either, so he isn't becoming more selective).  I'd look at his line drive rates and hard hit percentages as well.  Nunez may be figuring things out so to speak.  If he is, that makes him a very valuable cog and one that could be extended cheaply. 

 

In the end, I think you're right in that he should be traded (at least if I read you right), but I'd want more info... wonder if Parker will do one of his articles on Nunez's approach.  I'd love to read that.

[Vanimal46]

Color me very skeptical of this new Eduardo Nunez. Let's learn from past mistakes like Suzuki and Dozier by selling high on him while we can. IMO the more likely scenario is Nunez slips back into being a .700-.750 OPS player instead of maintaining an .850+ OPS for the foreseeable future. 

[alarp33]

 

I know this is a joke, but these are the types of things the FO needs to consider. 

 

This is actually the exact thing the FO has been doing which has created the mess the team is currently in.  

[Vanimal46]

 

This is actually the exact thing the FO has been doing which has created the mess the team is currently in.  

Exactly. We're not seriously considering the option of extending Nunez after being hot for 200 PA are we? This is the definition of insanity.... 

[alarp33]

 

Exactly. We're not seriously considering the option of extending Nunez after being hot for 200 PA are we? This is the definition of insanity.... 

 

And he's not even a FA until 2018... 

[TheLeviathan]

 

And he's not even a FA until 2018... 

 

I fail to see your point, this is the Twins.

 

[troyhobbs]

He's 29 yrs old so it could be that he's having his best year as a pro because he's in his prime and he's learned a few things. I wouldn't expect the ladder to go any higher though, although some guys are late bloomers and he's never been terrible. I've always liked the move to bring in Nunez and defended him even more than I was comfortable doing so advocating him for the 25th roster spot over Hermann last season. A lot of posters hated Nunez a year ago and I never really understood why.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I know this is a joke, but these are the types of things the FO needs to consider.  I get his BABIP is a bit high this year and if that is all that's fueling it, then I probably wouldn't do it (not to mention that his walk rate really hasn't changed either, so he isn't becoming more selective).  I'd look at his line drive rates and hard hit percentages as well.  Nunez may be figuring things out so to speak.  If he is, that makes him a very valuable cog and one that could be extended cheaply. 

 

In the end, I think you're right in that he should be traded (at least if I read you right), but I'd want more info... wonder if Parker will do one of his articles on Nunez's approach.  I'd love to read that.

There is almost no way extending Nunez would be beneficial to the Twins.  He's making $1.5 mil, due to make maybe $2.5 mil next year.  The extension would basically begin at his age 31 season in 2018.  And assuming he doesn't continue to hit .335 with a 137 OPS+ for the next year and a half, how much do you think he will even get on the open market after 2017?  Whatever it is, the Twins can easily afford it if they really need to retain him at that point.

 

Even if Nunez has figured some things out and that is driving his current success, an extension would be flushing away all of Nunez's surplus value this year and next, no real gain -- basically hoping for surplus value later (above a higher salary threshold) in his age 31+ seasons.  No way.

 

It's eerily similar to the Suzuki situation, a needless extension covering age 31+ supported by Parker's article on his approach.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

 

This is actually the exact thing the FO has been doing which has created the mess the team is currently in.  

 

This is precisely the type of response that creates bickering and overall discord.  You keyed in on one sentence while ignoring everything else that was being said, and quite frankly distorted the overall point, arguing against something that no one was arguing for.

 

I said they should look closer, see if it's sustainable and that more info was needed on a long term decision.  Any front office should be doing that.  I also said that where I'm at right now, trading is probably the right answer.

 

That said, any front office should be doing that.  It's about making smart decisions.  If Nunez is for real, that contract becomes a bargain, becomes more valuable to trade, or he is simply a key cog.  If he's just hot, by all means trade him.  The problem is that you cannot always trade in for new cards.  Sometimes, you have to actually keep the cards you were dealt.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

This is precisely the type of response that creates bickering and overall discord.  You keyed in on one sentence while ignoring everything else that was being said, and quite frankly distorted the overall point, arguing against something that no one was arguing for.

 

I said they should look closer, see if it's sustainable and that more info was needed on a long term decision.  Any front office should be doing that.  I also said that where I'm at right now, trading is probably the right answer.

 

That said, any front office should be doing that.  It's about making smart decisions.  If Nunez is for real, that contract becomes a bargain, becomes more valuable to trade, or he is simply a key cog.  If he's just hot, by all means trade him.  The problem is that you cannot always trade in for new cards.  Sometimes, you have to actually keep the cards you were dealt.

I see where you are coming from in a generic sense, but the cards are already stacked against a Nunez extension, by virtue of his age, salary, remaining year of control, past history, likely market, etc.  None of that changes no matter how deeply you analyze his approach, swing mechanics, etc. right now.

[Loosey]

I had been in the camp of trade Nunez and get what you can while his value is up.  But I am beginning to change my tune somewhat.  If the right offer comes in, then Yes, trade him.  But I wouldn't trade him for scraps. 

 

The Twins right now need more guys like him.  This squad for the most part is BORING and has no personality.  Nunez brings something different that makes me smile everytime I watch him play.  Plus, he is playing very well right now. 

 

Will he continue to hit .335/.336/.516?  Most likely no.  But I think he can be around what is career line is with the Twins over the last three seasons (.287/.319/.441).  I would take that from my shortstop.

 

 

[alarp33]

 

This is precisely the type of response that creates bickering and overall discord.  You keyed in on one sentence while ignoring everything else that was being said, and quite frankly distorted the overall point, arguing against something that no one was arguing for.

 

I said they should look closer, see if it's sustainable and that more info was needed on a long term decision.  Any front office should be doing that.  I also said that where I'm at right now, trading is probably the right answer.

 

That said, any front office should be doing that.  It's about making smart decisions.  If Nunez is for real, that contract becomes a bargain, becomes more valuable to trade, or he is simply a key cog.  If he's just hot, by all means trade him.  The problem is that you cannot always trade in for new cards.  Sometimes, you have to actually keep the cards you were dealt.

 

It wasn't meant to cause bickering, and I'm not sure how it distorted the overall point.  You want on to explain reasons for and against extending, but I got the overall point from the first line "This is what the FO needs to be doing (evaluating pros/ cons)".  

 

I was pointing out the one thing I think we can all agree the FO has been doing for the past few years, is extending players still under contract.  So I'm sure they have done plenty of evaluations on it, and I hope to God they trade him or let him play out his contract

[Platoon]

His bat both last year and this year makes him one of the top 30 shortstops or third basemen even with the bad glove. His ultimate role for a team might be starting 3B. >>>>>> Picking this sentence is not in anyway an intent to take you out of context. But it brings up a subject that is a constant aggravation to me. I may, most likely am, in the minority but I have never really had an interest in analyzing SS using their bat as a reference point. (Yes I noticed you acknowledge third as his superior position, I agree). Needless to say, if I could have a Lindor with the glove and bat, yippee. But they are few and far between. Most have a detriment, be it bat or glove. Since the odds are you wont have a multi tooled SS, give me an elite glove guy with range any day. I will find my offense elsewhere on the field.

[d-mac]

I haven't read all the comments yet, but I think Eduardo's true hitting ability is more like last year's. He has an .852 BABIP on liners (career .693) and .366 on grounders (career .288) this year. Plus more than doubled his career HR/FB ratio. That is despite not really changing the make-up of his balls-in-play profile, only a small increase in hard hit %, and the second lowest BB/K ratio of his career. 

 

The only slight change I see is that more of his line-drives and grounders are going to CF that had been previously pulled. But that doesn't explain the enough of the jump in BABIP nor the increase in HR/FB ratio.