"The primary argument for making Nuñez the starting shortstop is his elite defense. In limited playing time last season, he recorded four outs above average, which is well above average for defenders across the league. The Nationals should focus on run prevention and supporting their young pitchers. Nuñez is also a great defensive talent and can help the Nationals with this goal."
"One of his other strengths is his elite speed. His average sprint speed in 2025 was 29.8 feet per second, which was in the 98th percentile of all qualified runners. The Nationals should have an aggressive and dynamic offense that steals bases and puts pressure on opposing competition. Nunez' speed is a key asset to help improve this. The primary concern with Nuñez is his limited offensive production."
Nasim Nuñez offers elite defense, recording four outs above average in limited 2025 playing time and ranking well above typical league defenders. The Nationals' emphasis on run prevention and supporting young pitchers fits Nuñez's defensive value. Nuñez produced a 29.8 feet-per-second sprint speed in 2025, placing him in the 98th percentile and enabling aggressive base-stealing and pressure on opponents. Offensive numbers have been limited, with a career OPS of .672, but rolling xwOBA has climbed to around .300 and he shows hard contact and low strikeout tendencies, indicating improving offensive potential. Moving C.J. Abrams to second base creates room for Nuñez to start at shortstop in 2026.
Read at District on Deck
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]