Stockton Port, Renato Nunez and the Futures All-Star Game
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While many may not be familiar with the name Renato Nunez, he is a 20-year old prospect with a lot of potential. Nunez is currently in Stockton, playing A ball with the Ports, and is putting up fantastic numbers this season. For a more in-depth look into Renato Nunez, I contacted the Ports’ official scorekeeper, Paul Muyskens (@ThatsAnError).
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PM: Since being named to the Futures Game, Renato Nunez has been on fire. The first two months of the season he was hitting .245 with nine home runs. He is currently hitting .282 with 21 long balls.
In his final game before heading to the Futures game on Thursday night, he hit a towering ball down the left field line for his second grand slam in four days, and his 12th home run since June 19th. He had 12 home runs on June 24th when the Futures Game Rosters announced. He then homered twice the day after the announcement at Lancaster.
I like to say he swings like he’s trying to hit a 3-run home run even when there is no one on base, because he really swings the bat hard. His swing at times reminds me of former A’s prospect Richie Robnett (last played in Triple-A in 2010).
He’s played most of the season at 3B although he has been the DH on occasion, including Thursday, so that Ryon Healy can play 3B.
There are some that would disagree, but I and a few others, like Shooty Babitt don’t see Nunez having the defensive ability to play in the Major Leagues as a third baseman. If this is true, he would either be at 1B or a DH. Healy doesn’t quite have the power that Nunez has, but he has some. Healy has 12 home runs, and from what I’ve seen this season he has been a much better defensive option at 3B.
Ryon Healy, may not have as much power as Renato Nunez, but his numbers are still pretty darn good. As Paul mentioned, he only has the 12 HR, compared to 21 for Nunez. Their RBI totals are very close, however. Healy has collected 58 ribs, while Renato Nunez has brought in 61. It is worth noting that Healy has about 40 more PA than Nunez at this point in the season.
Now you know a little about Renato Nunez, so how did he do in the Futres All-Star Game? In his first AB, he swung at the first pitch and flied out to left. In his second plate appearance he saw 2 pitches. He drove that 2nd pitch, a 97 mph fastball, to left for a solid single.
Renato Nunez has the bat to keep coming up through the ranks in the Athletics’ farm system. Where he plays on the diamond as he ascends is still to been seen.
We would like to express our gratitude to Paul Muyskens for taking the time out of his busy schedule to tell us a little about Renato Nunez. It is greatly appreciated!