Oakland Athletics Minor League Spotlight: Renato Nunez
With September around the corner, we may see the A’s bring up a few young prospects. Renato Núñez, for starters, could see some playing time next month.
The Oakland Athletics are continuing their downward trend and the losses keep piling up. The A’s dropped their series opener in Houston on Friday night and fell to 53-69 on the year.
With the A’s set for yet another last-place finish, September call-ups are likely the final event fans are looking forward to. The last month of the season may offer a small glimmer of hope for the A’s dwindling fanbase.
Young prospects will be given an opportunity to shine during the final weeks of the year and Renato Núñez will likely be among those receiving a call-up. Núñez, 23, is having perhaps his most productive season in Triple-A this year.
Through 113 games with Nashville, Núñez has slashed .255/.312/.535 with 31 HR and 74 RBI. In addition, Núñez has collected 25 doubles.
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Is Power Enough?
Núñez has demonstrated an increase in power this year.
He has surpassed last year’s total of 23 with some great success at the plate overall. Núñez has increased his average from .228 to .255 this year and is flashing power in the process.
Given that the A’s seemingly love the long-ball this year, giving Núñez a call-up next month seems like a no-brainer.
Aside from his power, though, Núñez will need to demonstrate better plate discipline. He has struck out 129 times this year and is striking out at an alarming rate (27.2%). So while his power has been impressive this year, the A’s would likely want Núñez’s strikeouts to come down a bit.
Defensively, Núñez has shown better results this year in Nashville. Last year, Núñez led all Pacific Coast League third basemen in errors with 21 total.
This year, Núñez has committed seven errors at the hot corner. Oakland should be happy with that total, especially after Núñez’s nightmarish performance in 2016.
The only other knock against Núñez is perhaps his lack of speed. He does not pose much of a threat on the bases and has just two stolen bases this year. He has been caught stealing once.
So with a high strikeout percentage and a lack of speed, Núñez may find himself coming off the bench. He could, in theory, provide the A’s with some depth as he also plays a bit in left field.
Given the success he has had this year in Nashville, though, the A’s should reward Núñez with a call-up next month.