Nasim Nunez Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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Full name Nasim Emmanuel Nuñez
Born 08/18/2000 in Bronx, NY
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 168 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Collins Hill
Drafted in the 2nd round (46th overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2019 (signed for $2,200,000).

View Draft Report

Nunez is among the best defensive shortstops in the 2019 class. As an undersized middle infielder at just 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, there are some questions about the amount of offensive impact Nunez might possess, but there is no doubting his defensive skill and toolset. The Clemson commit projects as a plus defensive shortstop because of his plus arm and plus running ability, and he has elite, quick-twitch hands and a knack for throwing accurately from tough arm angles and while on the run. Watching Nunez play defense can be mesmerizing—both in pregame warmups and during the game—because of his fluid actions, immense athleticism and overall joy for the game. As an undersized, switch-hitting, high-aptitude defender, Nunez will draw comparisons to 2018 prep shortstop Xavier Edwards, who signed with the Padres after being drafted with the No. 38 overall pick last June. Edwards has a superior hit tool and better run times, however, while Nunez has more arm strength. Nunez has a solid swing from both sides of the plate, though it’s more natural from the right side. He’s faced good competition in Georgia’s 7A class, but he has well below-average raw power. Teams have been more willing to take undersized players with standout defensive ability high in the draft in recent years, and Nunez fits that to description well, but he’s also a player who could raise his stock significantly in three years if he goes to school and shows he can hit in the ACC. As it stands now, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him drafted in the supplemental first or second round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: During an excellent career at Collins Hill High in suburban Atlanta, Nunez was considered the best high school defender in his class. The Marlins drafted him 46th overall in 2019 and signed him for an over-slot $2.2 million. He has gradually progressed through the professional ranks and in 2023 had a quality first full season at Double-A Pensacola. The athletic Nunez slashed .225/.341/.286 and set a new career high with five home runs while also swiping 52 bases. He also represented the Marlins in the Futures Game and won its MVP award. The Marlins left him off their 40-man roster and the Nationals swooped in to select him in the 2023 Rule 5 draft.

Scouting Report: Nunez is small in stature at 5-foot-9 but has plus bat-to-ball skills and an outstanding feel for the strike zone. The switch-hitter has a simple setup with low, loose hands and a compact, direct swing. Nunez has looser, whippier hands from the left side, which is also where he produces most of his power. He is a hit-over-power profile with strong feel for the barrel and all-fields approach. Nunez has strong on-base skills with a career .359 OBP in the Marlins’ pitcher-friendly home parks. He walked nearly 15% of the time at Double-A in 2023 and is a tough at-bat for opposing pitchers. Nunez’s calling card is his outstanding defense. He is a double-plus defender at shortstop with a nearly double-plus arm. He is comfortable throwing from any arm slot and does an excellent job coming in on the baseball and moving laterally. He is a double-plus runner who has been successful on 84% of his stolen base attempts.

The Future: Nunez will hit for little power, but his defense, speed and overall approach will allow him to impact the game. He will serve as a utility infielder if he makes the team as a Rule 5 pick.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 30 | Run: 70 | Field: 70 | Arm: 70
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Nunez was the Marlins' second-round pick in 2019, when he was one of the best available prep infielders on the board. The Marlins spent $2.2 million to buy him out of his commitment to Clemson but had to wait until 2021 to see him in full-season ball because of the pandemic. He split 2022 between High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola and hit his first two career home runs.

Scouting Report: Nunez is laden with superlatives. He's the system's best infield defender, has the strongest knowledge of the strike zone and is its fastest runner. He used those skills to draw 95 walks and steal 70 bases--which placed him in a three-way tie for third in the minors. The Marlins worked with Nunez to be less passive on hittable pitches, and it showed up in the summer months, when he hit .278 from May 1 through July 31 before a promotion to Double-A. The Marlins' player development staff also worked with Nunez to get him to hit the ball out in front more often. In Nunez, scouts see a player who can make contact and cause havoc on the bases while playing excellent defense up the middle. He's a smooth defender with excellent first-step quickness and a strong throwing arm that needs a touch more in the way of accuracy.

The Future: Nunez will likely reach Triple-A at some point in 2023 and his speed and defense should help him find a way to reach the big leagues as a bottom-of-the-order hitter or defensive replacement at the very least.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 20. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
Track Record: Nunez was one of the best infield defenders available in the 2019 draft class, and the Marlins were intrigued enough by his upside to spend $2.2 million to buy him out of his Clemson commitment. His first season as a pro was mostly spent in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and he was invited to Miami’s alternate training site in 2020. Injuries limited Nunez to just 52 games in 2021.

Scouting Report: Nunez is one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, with true 80-grade potential. His instincts are so sharp, scouts say, that it appears he is moving toward the ball before it is hit. He has the range to track down balls to his right and left and will go all-out to get fly balls even if it means sacrificing his body. His arm is strong enough to make accurate throws from different angles at any spot on the diamond. Nunez’s bat lags well behind his glove. His average exit velocity in 2021 was roughly 84 mph and he has just nine extra-base hits—and zero home runs—in 454 plate appearances. His saving graces on offense are a keen knowledge of the strike zone and the kind of blazing speed to have swiped 61 bases in 103 games over his career.

The Future: With middle infielders Kahlil Watson, Ian Lewis and Jose Salas coming behind him, Nunez will likely move to High-A Beloit in 2022. He has the upside of a rock-solid defensive shortstop who hits toward the bottom of a lineup.
TRACK RECORD: One of the top defensive shortstops in the 2019 draft, Nunez was taken 46th overall by the Marlins and signed for $2.2 million. The Marlins brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he continued to see game action at instructional league in the fall.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's defensive skills and instincts at shortstop are advanced. His plus speed gives him plenty of range and his plus arm makes him a lock to stay at the position. He has a tendency to make highlight-worthy plays. Nunez makes contact at the plate but his power is well below-average and limits his ability to impact the ball. He struggled primarily against righthanders during his first pro action. Nunez shows a patient approach and uses his speed to steal bases when he gets on, but he has a long way to go to be an average hitter. The Marlins expect him to develop more offensive consistency and impact the ball solidly to all fields as he matures.

THE FUTURE: Already considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the organization, Nunez's offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
TRACK RECORD: Considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the 2019 draft class, Nunez, was the Marlins' choice in the supplemental second round. After signing for an overslot $2.2 million, Nunez played in 48 games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before a promotion to short-season Batavia.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez has long carried a defense-first reputation. He has all the makings of a plus defensive shortstop with excellent instincts, quick hands and smooth footwork to go alongside a very fast arm. Nunez showed off plus speed in his brief pro debut, stealing 28 bases in 30 attempts. Offensively, though, there are plenty of questions. While he has bat quickness from both sides with a swing geared for line drives, he fared far better lefthanders than righthanders.

THE FUTURE: A defense-first player now, Nunez's offensive development will be key to unlocking his potential as an impactful everyday shortstop. For now, he looks like an easy fit as defensive utilityman.

Draft Prospects

Nunez is among the best defensive shortstops in the 2019 class. As an undersized middle infielder at just 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, there are some questions about the amount of offensive impact Nunez might possess, but there is no doubting his defensive skill and toolset. The Clemson commit projects as a plus defensive shortstop because of his plus arm and plus running ability, and he has elite, quick-twitch hands and a knack for throwing accurately from tough arm angles and while on the run. Watching Nunez play defense can be mesmerizing--both in pregame warmups and during the game--because of his fluid actions, immense athleticism and overall joy for the game. As an undersized, switch-hitting, high-aptitude defender, Nunez will draw comparisons to 2018 prep shortstop Xavier Edwards, who signed with the Padres after being drafted with the No. 38 overall pick last June. Edwards has a superior hit tool and better run times, however, while Nunez has more arm strength. Nunez has a solid swing from both sides of the plate, though it's more natural from the right side. He's faced good competition in Georgia's 7A class, but he has well below-average raw power. Teams have been more willing to take undersized players with standout defensive ability high in the draft in recent years, and Nunez fits that to description well, but he's also a player who could raise his stock significantly in three years if he goes to school and shows he can hit in the ACC. As it stands now, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him drafted in the supplemental first or second round.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Marlins drafted Nuñez with their second-round pick (No. 46 overall) and signed him for $2.2 million. Lauded for his fielding ability coming out of the draft, with scouts considering him one of the top defensive shortstops in the class, Nuñez lived up to that billing in the GCL, where he made a series of acrobatic, highlight plays. He’s a quick-burst athlete with fast hands, smooth actions and a plus arm. He has the athleticism, range and body control to making exciting defensive plays, throwing accurately on the run from different angles. He’s a plus runner who disrupts the game on the basepaths, leading the league with 28 stolen bases while getting caught just twice for a 93 percent success rate. Nuñez showed a patient hitting approach, but there are questions about how much offensive impact he’s going to deliver. His strike-zone judgment helps, but he has limited power, so finding a way to do more damage on contact will be critical for Nuñez. He turned 19 at the end of the season, so he’s also on the older side for a 2019 high school draft pick.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Miami Marlins in 2020
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Miami Marlins in 2020

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Nunez was the Marlins' second-round pick in 2019, when he was one of the best available prep infielders on the board. The Marlins spent $2.2 million to buy him out of his commitment to Clemson but had to wait until 2021 to see him in full-season ball because of the pandemic. He split 2022 between High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola and hit his first two career home runs.

Scouting Report: Nunez is laden with superlatives. He's the system's best infield defender, has the strongest knowledge of the strike zone and is its fastest runner. He used those skills to draw 95 walks and steal 70 bases--which placed him in a three-way tie for third in the minors. The Marlins worked with Nunez to be less passive on hittable pitches, and it showed up in the summer months, when he hit .278 from May 1 through July 31 before a promotion to Double-A. The Marlins' player development staff also worked with Nunez to get him to hit the ball out in front more often. In Nunez, scouts see a player who can make contact and cause havoc on the bases while playing excellent defense up the middle. He's a smooth defender with excellent first-step quickness and a strong throwing arm that needs a touch more in the way of accuracy.

The Future: Nunez will likely reach Triple-A at some point in 2023 and his speed and defense should help him find a way to reach the big leagues as a bottom-of-the-order hitter or defensive replacement at the very least.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 20. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High

Track Record: Nunez was the Marlins' second-round pick in 2019, when he was one of the best available prep infielders on the board. The Marlins spent $2.2 million to buy him out of his commitment to Clemson but had to wait until 2021 to see him in full-season ball because of the pandemic. He split 2022 between High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola and hit his first two career home runs.

Scouting Report: Nunez is laden with superlatives. He's the system's best infield defender, has the strongest knowledge of the strike zone and is its fastest runner. He used those skills to draw 95 walks and steal 70 bases--which placed him in a three-way tie for third in the minors. The Marlins worked with Nunez to be less passive on hittable pitches, and it showed up in the summer months, when he hit .278 from May 1 through July 31 before a promotion to Double-A. The Marlins' player development staff also worked with Nunez to get him to hit the ball out in front more often. In Nunez, scouts see a player who can make contact and cause havoc on the bases while playing excellent defense up the middle. He's a smooth defender with excellent first-step quickness and a strong throwing arm that needs a touch more in the way of accuracy.

The Future: Nunez will likely reach Triple-A at some point in 2023 and his speed and defense should help him find a way to reach the big leagues as a bottom-of-the-order hitter or defensive replacement at the very least.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 20. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Nunez was one of the best infield defenders available in the 2019 draft class, and the Marlins were intrigued enough by his upside to spend $2.2 million to buy him out of his Clemson commitment. His first season as a pro was mostly spent in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and he was invited to Miami&#39s alternate training site in 2020. Injuries limited Nunez to just 52 games in 2021.

Scouting Report: Nunez is one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, with true 80-grade potential. His instincts are so sharp, scouts say, that it appears he is moving toward the ball before it is hit. He has the range to track down balls to his right and left and will go all-out to get fly balls even if it means sacrificing his body. His arm is strong enough to make accurate throws from different angles at any spot on the diamond. Nunez&#39s bat lags well behind his glove. His average exit velocity in 2021 was roughly 84 mph and he has just nine extra-base hits—and zero home runs—in 454 plate appearances. His saving graces on offense are a keen knowledge of the strike zone and the kind of blazing speed to have swiped 61 bases in 103 games over his career.

The Future: With middle infielders Kahlil Watson, Ian Lewis and Jose Salas coming behind him, Nunez will likely move to High-A Beloit in 2022. He has the upside of a rock-solid defensive shortstop who hits toward the bottom of a lineup.
Track Record: Nunez was one of the best infield defenders available in the 2019 draft class, and the Marlins were intrigued enough by his upside to spend $2.2 million to buy him out of his Clemson commitment. His first season as a pro was mostly spent in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and he was invited to Miami’s alternate training site in 2020. Injuries limited Nunez to just 52 games in 2021.

Scouting Report: Nunez is one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, with true 80-grade potential. His instincts are so sharp, scouts say, that it appears he is moving toward the ball before it is hit. He has the range to track down balls to his right and left and will go all-out to get fly balls even if it means sacrificing his body. His arm is strong enough to make accurate throws from different angles at any spot on the diamond. Nunez’s bat lags well behind his glove. His average exit velocity in 2021 was roughly 84 mph and he has just nine extra-base hits—and zero home runs—in 454 plate appearances. His saving graces on offense are a keen knowledge of the strike zone and the kind of blazing speed to have swiped 61 bases in 103 games over his career.

The Future: With middle infielders Kahlil Watson, Ian Lewis and Jose Salas coming behind him, Nunez will likely move to High-A Beloit in 2022. He has the upside of a rock-solid defensive shortstop who hits toward the bottom of a lineup.
TRACK RECORD: One of the top defensive shortstops in the 2019 draft, Nunez was taken 46th overall by the Marlins and signed for $2.2 million. The Marlins brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he continued to see game action at instructional league in the fall.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's defensive skills and instincts at shortstop are advanced. His plus speed gives him plenty of range and his plus arm makes him a lock to stay at the position. He has a tendency to make highlight-worthy plays. Nunez makes contact at the plate but his power is well below-average and limits his ability to impact the ball. He struggled primarily against righthanders during his first pro action. Nunez shows a patient approach and uses his speed to steal bases when he gets on, but he has a long way to go to be an average hitter. The Marlins expect him to develop more offensive consistency and impact the ball solidly to all fields as he matures.

THE FUTURE: Already considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the organization, Nunez's offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
TRACK RECORD: One of the top defensive shortstops in the 2019 draft, Nunez was taken 46th overall by the Marlins and signed for $2.2 million. The Marlins brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he continued to see game action at instructional league in the fall.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's defensive skills and instincts at shortstop are advanced. His plus speed gives him plenty of range and his plus arm makes him a lock to stay at the position. He has a tendency to make highlight-worthy plays. Nunez makes contact at the plate but his power is well below-average and limits his ability to impact the ball. He struggled primarily against righthanders during his first pro action. Nunez shows a patient approach and uses his speed to steal bases when he gets on, but he has a long way to go to be an average hitter. The Marlins expect him to develop more offensive consistency and impact the ball solidly to all fields as he matures.

THE FUTURE: Already considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the organization, Nunez's offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
TRACK RECORD: One of the top defensive shortstops in the 2019 draft, Nunez was taken 46th overall by the Marlins and signed for $2.2 million. The Marlins brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he continued to see game action at instructional league in the fall.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's defensive skills and instincts at shortstop are advanced. His plus speed gives him plenty of range and his plus arm makes him a lock to stay at the position. He has a tendency to make highlight-worthy plays. Nunez makes contact at the plate but his power is well below-average and limits his ability to impact the ball. He struggled primarily against righthanders during his first pro action. Nunez shows a patient approach and uses his speed to steal bases when he gets on, but he has a long way to go to be an average hitter. The Marlins expect him to develop more offensive consistency and impact the ball solidly to all fields as he matures.

THE FUTURE: Already considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the organization, Nunez's offensive development will determine whether he becomes an everyday shortstop.
TRACK RECORD: Considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the 2019 draft class, Nunez, was the Marlins’ choice in the supplemental second round. After signing for an overslot $2.2 million, Nunez played in 48 games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before a promotion to short-season Batavia.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez has long carried a defense-first reputation. He has all the makings of a plus defensive shortstop with excellent instincts, quick hands and smooth footwork to go alongside a very fast arm. Nunez showed off plus speed in his brief pro debut, stealing 28 bases in 30 attempts. Offensively, though, there are plenty of questions. While he has bat quickness from both sides with a swing geared for line drives, he fared far better lefthanders than righthanders.

THE FUTURE: A defense-first player now, Nunez’s offensive development will be key to unlocking his potential as an impactful everyday shortstop. For now, he looks like an easy fit as defensive utilityman.
TRACK RECORD: Considered one of the top defensive shortstops in the 2019 draft class, Nunez, was the Marlins' choice in the supplemental second round. After signing for an overslot $2.2 million, Nunez played in 48 games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before a promotion to short-season Batavia.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez has long carried a defense-first reputation. He has all the makings of a plus defensive shortstop with excellent instincts, quick hands and smooth footwork to go alongside a very fast arm. Nunez showed off plus speed in his brief pro debut, stealing 28 bases in 30 attempts. Offensively, though, there are plenty of questions. While he has bat quickness from both sides with a swing geared for line drives, he fared far better lefthanders than righthanders.

THE FUTURE: A defense-first player now, Nunez's offensive development will be key to unlocking his potential as an impactful everyday shortstop. For now, he looks like an easy fit as defensive utilityman.
The Marlins drafted Nuñez with their second-round pick (No. 46 overall) and signed him for $2.2 million. Lauded for his fielding ability coming out of the draft, with scouts considering him one of the top defensive shortstops in the class, Nuñez lived up to that billing in the GCL, where he made a series of acrobatic, highlight plays. He’s a quick-burst athlete with fast hands, smooth actions and a plus arm. He has the athleticism, range and body control to making exciting defensive plays, throwing accurately on the run from different angles. He’s a plus runner who disrupts the game on the basepaths, leading the league with 28 stolen bases while getting caught just twice for a 93 percent success rate. Nuñez showed a patient hitting approach, but there are questions about how much offensive impact he’s going to deliver. His strike-zone judgment helps, but he has limited power, so finding a way to do more damage on contact will be critical for Nuñez. He turned 19 at the end of the season, so he’s also on the older side for a 2019 high school draft pick.
Nunez is among the best defensive shortstops in the 2019 class. As an undersized middle infielder at just 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, there are some questions about the amount of offensive impact Nunez might possess, but there is no doubting his defensive skill and toolset. The Clemson commit projects as a plus defensive shortstop because of his plus arm and plus running ability, and he has elite, quick-twitch hands and a knack for throwing accurately from tough arm angles and while on the run. Watching Nunez play defense can be mesmerizing--both in pregame warmups and during the game--because of his fluid actions, immense athleticism and overall joy for the game. As an undersized, switch-hitting, high-aptitude defender, Nunez will draw comparisons to 2018 prep shortstop Xavier Edwards, who signed with the Padres after being drafted with the No. 38 overall pick last June. Edwards has a superior hit tool and better run times, however, while Nunez has more arm strength. Nunez has a solid swing from both sides of the plate, though it's more natural from the right side. He's faced good competition in Georgia's 7A class, but he has well below-average raw power. Teams have been more willing to take undersized players with standout defensive ability high in the draft in recent years, and Nunez fits that to description well, but he's also a player who could raise his stock significantly in three years if he goes to school and shows he can hit in the ACC. As it stands now, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him drafted in the supplemental first or second round.