Eduardo Nunez: Trying to Make Me Look Bad

Written by Greg Fertel | 28 April 2010

Since I started blogging around one year ago, I've taken heat for my opinion regarding Eduardo Nunez. I never have had any problem with Nunez, I just don't think the numbers support the "hype" he has received in certain circles.

Well, Nunez is doing everything in his power to make me look bad so far this season. Last year, he hit .322/.349/.433 with 22 walks and 63 strikeouts in 523 plate appearances. My take was:

Whether or not Eduardo Nunez has all the tools in the world, he remains the same unheralded player he was in 2008. His walk, strikeout, ISO, and line drive rates all remained identical. No one was praising him after his 2008 season, and I'm not sure anyone should be touting him now.

If you were to start touting Nunez now, based on what he's done in 2010, I couldn't argue with you. The sample is small, but what Nunez has done is extremely impressive. On the season, he is hitting .377/.438/.507 with a .413 wOBA. That is a very impressive line, but it is not without the help of an inflated BABIP.

On the year, Nunez holds a career high .391 BABIP. However, he also has a career high 21 percent line drive rate. The BABIP will drop, there's no doubt about that, but there is still a lot to like.

Nunez has shown great contact ability this season. He has only struck out in five percent of his at bats. Before 2010, his career low strikeout rate was 11.9 percent. He also has a career high walk rate of 10 percent. His previous high was 6.9 percent.

The career high walk rate combined with the career low strikeout rate is quite a turnaround. There still isn't much power to speak of(.130 ISO), but all of the signs point to a new and improved Eduardo Nunez. I, for one, will be keeping a close eye on whether he is able to maintain his newfound strike zone control.