Eduardo Nunez Fantasy News & Stats

Eduardo Nunez

31-Year-Old Third Baseman3B

Boston Red Sox

Day-To-Day

Injury Hamstring

2018 Stats

AVG

.264

RBI

Rest-of-Season Projections

AVG

RBI

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2018 Fantasy Outlook

Nobody expected Nunez to repeat his brilliant 2016 season and indeed he did not as injuries limited him to 114 games, but the per-game production was pretty similar. He hit over .300 with both San Francisco and Boston, adding eight homers and six steals in just 38 games after being traded to the Red Sox in late July. Another 100 plate appearances and Nunez would have breezed past 30 steals again. The power production over the past two years still seems fluky -- he had just a 1.4 Brls/PA last season -- but Nunez has proven that he's capable of reaching double digits in the right hitting environment. He qualifies at second base, third base and outfield and he's a 40-steal threat in a time when stolen bases are on the decline league-wide. However, Nunez is probably closer to a true-talent .280-.285 hitter as he puts the ball in play consistently but rarely walks (4.9 percent walk rate). Read Past Outlooks

RANKSFrom Preseason

#136

ADP

Overall

Third Baseman

Add To Watchlist

League Majors

Bats R

Throws R

40 Man Yes

Height 6'0"

Weight 190

DOB 6/15/1987

Born Santo Domingo, DR

College None

Drafted 2004 NYY

Out until Tuesday with hamstring issue

3BBoston Red Sox

Hamstring

September 20, 2018

Manager Alex Cora said Nunez left Wednesday's contest with hamstring tightness and that he will not be available until Tuesday at the earliest, Sean McAdam of the BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

ANALYSIS
The Red Sox initially stated that Nunez was removed from Wednesday's tilt with right knee soreness, but it was ruled a hamstring injury after further evaluation. Nunez has been playing banged up as of late, starting with a right knee issue that he suffered against Toronto exactly a week ago. Manager Alex Cora will stress precaution with the infielder following this latest setback, especially with the Red Sox closing in a division title.

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Batting Stats

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MLB Game Log

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Minor League Game Log

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Left/Right Batting Splits

Since 2016

+5%

OPS vs RHP

2018

+6%

OPS vs RHP

2017

+9%

OPS vs RHP

2016

+1%

OPS vs RHP

	OPS	PA	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Since 2016vs Left	.717	420	44	10	38	15	.272	.305	.411
Since 2016vs Right	.755	1156	144	28	131	56	.293	.323	.432
2018vs Left	.645	135	12	2	9	2	.260	.299	.346
2018vs Right	.682	355	43	8	35	5	.263	.282	.401
2017vs Left	.751	139	9	1	12	4	.290	.324	.427
2017vs Right	.821	352	51	11	46	20	.321	.348	.473
2016vs Left	.750	146	23	7	17	9	.265	.295	.456
2016vs Right	.760	449	50	9	50	31	.295	.336	.424
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Home/Away Batting Splits

Since 2016

+7%

OPS at Home

2018

+29%

OPS at Home

2017

+6%

OPS on Road

2016

+3%

OPS at Home

	OPS	PA	R	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG
Since 2016Home	.770	774	95	19	85	38	.298	.331	.439
Since 2016Away	.720	802	93	19	84	33	.277	.305	.415
2018Home	.763	228	29	6	23	2	.292	.320	.443
2018Away	.593	262	26	4	21	5	.236	.257	.336
2017Home	.778	250	27	5	34	15	.317	.340	.438
2017Away	.826	241	33	7	24	9	.308	.342	.485
2016Home	.768	296	39	8	28	21	.286	.332	.436
2016Away	.747	299	34	8	39	19	.289	.319	.429
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Stat Review

How does Eduardo Nunez compare to other hitters?

This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances). The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

BB/K

0.22

BB Rate

3.0%

K Rate

14.0%

BABIP

.290

ISO

.125

AVG

.264

OBP

.288

SLG

.389

OPS

.677

Advanced Batting Stats

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Additional Stats

Games By Position

Defensive Stats

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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers

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Red Sox Depth Chart

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2006

Nunez had a true breakout campaign in 2016, setting career highs in home runs (16), RBI (67) and stolen bases (40) while slashing a combined .288/.325/.432 with the Twins and the Giants. After never topping 338 plate appearances in his six-year career, Minnesota unearthed an All-Star infielder and dealt him to the west coast in exchange for pitching prospect Adalberto Mejia. Nunez proved that his first half wasn't a fluke, continuing his success (albeit with slightly less pop) after joining a contender midseason. A hamstring injury in late September derailed his season and rendered the third baseman useless during the Giants' postseason run. The injury isn't serious in nature, and he should be good to go by the time spring training rolls around. With the Giants' 2016 Opening Day third baseman, Matt Duffy, being dealt to Tampa Bay, the Giants are positioned to lean on Nunez as their starter at the hot corner in 2017. Though some of the plate numbers may dip a bit, his ability to steal bags remains real, and potentially elite.

Nunez ended a three-year decline to have a solid year at the plate in limited playing time as a utility player. While he rarely walks, Nunez makes good contact with few strikeouts and added more power last season. He also adds some speed on the basepaths for fantasy purposes. His glove grades as an asset at both shortstop and third base. However, it's not clear how much longer he'll be needed in Minnesota with several infield prospects on the cusp of reaching the majors.

The Twins traded for Nunez from the Yankees to help stabilize the infield, but the emergence of Danny Santana and Eduardo Escobar left him with a small bench role. Minnesota may be better off going with a younger player in the role, as Nunez had a career-worst .654 OPS and was a below-average fielder at shortstop and third base. He offers some speed if he gets enough playing time, but his steady decline at the plate the past few years make winning any sizable role unlikely. He'll compete for a utility job again this spring with the Twins.

Nunez has likely missed his window of opportunity to make an impact with the Yankees. While the speed that seemed so promising a few years ago is still there, he's never been able to get it together in the field, and he was held back by injury as well. The Yankees stated that they don't see Nunez as a potential successor to Derek Jeter, and he may only find work as a utility man if he can improve work with the glove. Although, it's possible that the departure of Robinson Cano will lead the Yankees to see if he can be a viable option as part of a platoon at the position depending on their success in finding an everyday option.

Nunez's strengths and weaknesses as a player are obvious. He has proven that he is a more than competent major league hitter, putting up a .272 average with a .701 OPS over about a full season's worth of at-bats. He's very dangerous on the basepaths, stealing 38 bases over that same span. Where Nunez fails is in the field. His arm is strong, but erratic, and the Yankees have gone as far as to experiment with him in the outfield in an attempt to find a position where he can be reliable. Nunez's bat could help the Yankees right now, and his speed makes him worth picking up if he does find a regular role, but he could benefit from more work in the minors to see if he can handle an infield position well enough to start there for the big club.

Nunez produced for fantasy owners while filling in for Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, putting up 22 steals and 30 RBI in just 309 at-bats. While Nunez has a great arm, he needs a lot of work on his defense, as he made 21 errors in 2011. Nunez has a solid bat and plus speed, and at just 24 years old is likely the heir apparent to Jeter if he isn't used as a trade chip. Nunez's speed and his status as a backup to two aging veterans make him an interesting endgame play in fantasy drafts, and if he's dealt somewhere where he'll play every day. Snap him up and enjoy the steals.

Nunez got his feet wet in 30 major league games last season, hitting .280/.321/.360 in 53 plate appearances. He doesn't have a lot of power, but his fielding and plate discipline improved nearly every year in the minors, and the Yankees have enough confidence in him to use him as a backup to Derek Jeter who can step in whenever the veteran needs a day off.

Nunez was once touted as one of the Yankees’ better young talents, but a couple of weak minor league seasons dropped him from most prospect lists. Last year witnessed something of a Nunez resurgence, as he hit .322/.349/.433 with nine homers and 19 steals at Double-A Trenton. He’s young enough (22) that the productive year could be a sign that he’s finally starting to put things together, but he also benefited from an abnormally high .352 BABIP that likely skewed his final numbers. Don’t be surprised if he reverts back to mediocrity when given a chance to produce at Triple-A this season.

Nunez is a Dominican infielder, well-regarded by scouts due to his athleticism and offensive potential. His defense is questionable and he may end up in the outfield eventually, but his bat could be very good if it develops as expected.

More Fantasy News

Exits with knee soreness

3BBoston Red Sox

Knee

September 19, 2018

Nunez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Yankees with right knee soreness, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

ANALYSIS
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Not feeling knee pain

3BBoston Red Sox

September 19, 2018

Nunez said his knee is no longer bothering him, and he expects to play the field soon, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

ANALYSIS
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Returns as designated hitter

3BBoston Red Sox

September 18, 2018

Nunez (knee) is in the lineup as the designated hitter Tuesday, batting fifth against the Yankees, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

ANALYSIS
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Not starting Sunday

3BBoston Red Sox

Knee

September 16, 2018

Nunez (knee) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Mets.

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Return may be pushed

3BBoston Red Sox

Knee

September 16, 2018

Nunez (knee) will be available to play Sunday, but could have his return pushed to Tuesday, Stephen Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

ANALYSIS
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