Nasim Nunez Marlins

Marlins Prospect Nasim Nunez Playing the Game with Joy

/0 Comments/in /by

The Marlins have a long history with speedy base stealers, especially those that play in the middle infield. The latest player to fit this archetype for Miami is 22-year-old shortstop prospect, Nasim Nunez.

Recently promoted to the Double-A level, Nunez stands out among Miami’s Top-30 prospects considering he already has two Major League-ready skills: defense and base running.

Having a player like Nasim Nunez in the system provides the Marlins value and potential. His development remains integral to Miami’s long-term success, but that’s not something that worries Nunez.

“The game doesn’t change,” he said. “You just got to go out there and have fun, and continue to play the game with joy.”

While MLB Pipeline lists Nunez’s Major League ETA at 2024, Nunez has made it a habit of proving people wrong. He’s always played with a chip on his shoulder because many evaluators considered him too small, but he’s proven them wrong at each level.

Now, Nunez focuses solely on being a better version of himself every day. And that single-mindedness continues to benefit both the player and the organization.

Marlins’ Nasim Nunez Sports ‘Gold Glove’ Potential

Miami selected Nunez with the No. 46 overall selection in the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft. MLB Pipeline called the shortstop from Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, GA, the “best defensive shortstop” in the class.

“Nunez might contend for a Gold Glove in the big leagues right now. He’s silky smooth with fast-twitch actions, quick hands and feet and a plus-plus arm that delivers accurate throws from any conceivable angle.”

While this might seem like an overstatement, watching Nunez play defense proves otherwise.

 

Nunez credited his baseball coaches growing up for instilling a dedicated approach to defense. He stressed making each play as fundamental to his approach—recording each out reliably. He admitted the spectacular plays come, but it’s about being in the right position.

Nunez called Jose Reyes and Andrelton Simmons his main two inspirations at shortstop growing up. At present, Nunez sports a 94.7 fielding percentage over 379 defensive chances this season.

Nasim Nunez’s combination of speed and skill should keep Marlins fans bullish on his future.

The Marlins have a spotty history with second round selections, but the team did land Giancarlo Stanton in 2007. Another second-round success came in 2004, when the Marlins took pitcher Jason Vargas out of California State University Long Beach.

The franchise’s first second-round pick came in 1992 with the selection John Lynch from Stanford University. Lynch, who would go on to win a Super Bowl and earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, actually threw the first pitch in organization history, playing for the Marlins’ Single-A Erie Sailors squad.

Nasim Nunez Ready to “Run Through It” for the Marlins

Aside from his defensive acumen, Nasim Nunez flashes another Major League-ready skill: base running.

Splitting time between Marlins affiliates in Beloit (A+) and Pensacola (AA), Nunez enters the season’s home stretch with 56 stolen bases. That figure is seventh most amongst all levels of the game.

Prior to his promotion, Nunez swiped a Midwest League-leading 49 bases and remained on pace to break the single-season stolen bases record for the Beloit Sky Carp. When he transferred to the Blue Wahoos, Nunez stood just 17 steals away from claiming the Beloit’s record (66), which Brian Finley set in 1984.

Speed has always been a part of his game. But as he graduates to the upper levels of Minor League Baseball, Nunez knows there’s more to it than that.

“Growing up I would just run. Get on base—take off. As I get older, me being on base is beneficial to the team, even if I don’t steal. Because I’m in the back of the pitcher’s head.”

Nunez talked about how pitchers change their approach on the mound once he’s reached base. Splitting the pitcher’s attention and focus immediately benefits the team.

“They’ll be more inconsistent with strike command,” Nunez noted, with pitchers opting for fastballs to minimize his opportunities to swipe a bag. He analyzes each pitcher’s speed to the plate, and gauges their attention before deciding to run.

He knows how valuable being on base can be, so it’s more than just taking off these days. Nunez called “being smart on the basepaths and taking what the game gives you” his primary focuses nowadays.

 

Teammates marvel at Nunez’s speed. Fellow Blue Wahoo Davis Bradshaw called Nunez “the most fun to watch on this team.”

“When he gets that walk, it automatically turns into a triple because he’s going to steal second and third,” said Bradshaw. “I love Nunez to death, and he’ll be fun to watch.”

Nunez Finally Moving Through the Marlins System

Moving through the system might induce anxiety for some players, but not Nunez. He admitted a need to get adjusted to the new level, but said: “The game? It’s still the same game.”

He’s had his struggles at times, including a 1-for-34 start to his High-A career, but he’s been able to adjust and develop beyond those early difficulties.

Over his final 53 games for Beloit, Nunez registered a .290 batting average with a .436 on-base percentage. He balanced a 22.1 percent strikeout rate with a 20 percent walk rate.

But one veteran baseball scout ignores numbers when considering Nunez in his evaluations.

“I see a baseball player,” the scout said, noting Nunez’s instincts and defense to impact the game in different ways.

Even through those early struggles, Nunez refused to get consumed by the numbers. He remained focused on the bigger picture: winning and playing the game the right way.

Nunez admitted a great player told him: “Don’t worry about the numbers right now. It’s about the process. It’s about going out there and learning who you are.”

Perhaps the most difficult stretch of Nunez’s career came early for him. Just 51 games into his professional tenure, Nunez’s career (and that of so many other prospects) was put on hold due to the COVID-19.

He admitted he “had a lot of time to do nothing,” but said this time away from the game helped open his eyes. Nunez leaned on his family and support system to maintain his focus on his dreams.

His family challenged him in that regard, asking, “Do you want to be a Major Leaguer, or just someone who got drafted?”

Next Steps for Nunez and the Marlins

From there, Nunez renewed his effort and dedication, developing a different mindset heading into his first spring training. He grew more confident in himself and his abilities in a game he’s played for most of his life. Nunez draws on that familial challenge and the advice of teammates to improve himself each and every day.

He remembers a veteran telling him: “Failing or succeeding, you have to be confident in who you are. That’s going to allow you to play the game to the best of your ability—to affect the game in different ways.”

Affecting the game in different ways remains Nunez’s the biggest boost to Miami’s system. As his third professional season stretches on, he hopes to maintain focus while playing within himself.

“I want to run through it,” Nunez said, wanting “to stay strong, stay healthy, and stay consistent” heading into a pivotal offseason.

He acknowledged players at the Double-A level remain more consistent from day-to-day and he aims to do that, mining every at-bat and every defensive rep for additional information.

Nunez called chewing gum an integral part of his focus, as he gnashes away during games and blows the occasional photogenic bubble. He said the taste of mint helps him lock in.

Nasim Nunez Marlins

Photo Credit: Mark Brown/Getty Images

If and when Nunez makes his Major League debut with the Marlins, Juan Pierre’s single-season stolen base record (65) set in 2003 will be on notice.

Nasim Nunez and the Marlins Future

Nasim Nunez remains a consensus Top-30 prospect in the Marlins system. And while Miami sports several other highly-touted middle infield prospects, few carry his current combination of speed and defense that could help the big club tomorrow.

The future of the shortstop position with the Marlins remains in question. Miguel Rojas signed a two-year contract extension last offseason, but at 33-years-old, he’s not the long-term answer at the position. Rojas might not even be the starting shortstop for next season, as he may transition to a utility role.

The Marlins minor league system currently lacks a shoo-in shortstop prospect at the upper levels. Nunez’s middle infield partner in Pensacola, Jose Devers, holds a 40-man roster spot and made a brief appearance with the Marlins in 2021. But injuries slowed his development in 2022 and he seems set a second base.


Miami’s other potential shortstop prospect came to the organization at this year’s trade deadline. Jordan Groshans landed with the Marlins Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and has done well there despite being young (22) for the level. Scouts, though, project Groshans as more of a third-baseman rather than shortstop.

Regardless of how it plays out, Nunez has a bright future and a love for the game. He says the talent coming to baseball these days will draw back old fans and win over new ones.

“I say, if you think baseball is boring, you’re not watching the right parts,” Nunez said in an interview with Joe Frisaro.

Nunez’s playing style and swag will certainly help win over fans. And his dream of being a Major Leaguer may very well be realized sooner rather than later thanks to those fast feet, his slick glove, and a little bit of bubblegum.

More with Marlins Prospect Nasim Nunez

PrizePicks is the easiest, fastest, and most exciting way to play daily fantasy sports! 

PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy. It’s just you against the numbers. Members predict the over or the under on between 2 and 5 player props of their choice. The more picks they correctly predict, the more money they win! Payouts on PrizePicks can be as high as 10X – 15X. 

Use promo code: FIVE at signup for a deposit match up to $100!

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *