South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 39: Amado Nuñez

Amado Nuñez
6´2´´
178 pounds
Bats: Right
Age: 21
2018 SSS Top Prospect Rank: 41
SSS rank among all second basemen in the system: 3

It seems like Nuñez has been in the White Sox organization for a long time, though he is just 21. He signed for $900,000 from the Dominican Republic as the headliner of a 2014 international signing class that also included Jhoandro Alfaro, Ricky Mota and Felix Mercedes. At the time of his signing, MiLB.com rated his tools as follows: Hit 55, Power 55, Run 55, Arm 50, Field 50. Signed initially as a shortstop, Nuñez has played all four infield positions in the White Sox organization, with 2018 primarily spent at second base.

Nuñez had an injury-riddled 2015, struggling with the AZL White Sox to the tune of .145/.207/.158. He appeared to turn things around in 2016 with a slash line of .287/.320/.370, while swiping a career-high nine bases. However, he struggled badly in 2017 upon being promoted to Great Falls, as he hit just .183/.247/.246 in the higher altitude. On the positive side, however, Nuñez lowered his strikeout percentage to a career-best 18.9, while increasing his walk percentage to another best, 7.79.

In 2018, returning to the Voyagers, Nuñez was in a different stratosphere. He hit .357/.394/.568, with 21 doubles, six homers, 52 RBIs, 15 walks and 71 strikeouts — easily eclipsing his career numbers in every significant stat. His walk and strikeouts surprisingly declined this year (5.8% and 27.4% respectively), but Nuñez has got plenty of time to improve.

Nuñez is not a significant stolen base threat (14 in his four-year career), but the biggest concern with him clearly has been his defense. In just fewer than 170 career games in the minors, he’s committed 74 errors. In 2018 alone, Nuñez suffered 17 miscues in 46 games at second base and three mishaps in just eight games at first; similar error rates have transpired during his time at the hot corner and shortstop earlier in his career. If Nuñez can keep errors to a minimum while continuing to rake, he may have quite a future with the White Sox. Otherwise, ceiling will be as an offensive-minded utility infielder.

Nuñez earned a promotion to Kannapolis for 2019, playing primarily first base, while hitting as anything but a first baseman: .163/.234/174 out of the gate. The good news, if there is some with that offensive assessment, is that Nuñez has committed just two errors (at first) all year. He’s subbed in for 17 errorless innings at second base as well.

Take a look!

Thanks to FanGraphs for this video. Buckle your seat belt, though.

2019 South Side Sox Top 100 Prospects

39. Amado Nuñez, 2B
40. Jordan Guerrero, LHSP
41. Tyler Frost, RF
42. Danny Mendick, SS
43. Yeyson Yrizarri, SS
44. Kade McClure, RHSP
45. Luis Mieses, CF
46. Ti’quan Forbes, 3B
47. Thyago Vieira, RHRP
48. Corey Zangari, 1B
49. Yermin Mercedes, C
50. Anderson Comas, RF
51. Gunnar Troutwine, C
52. Codi Heuer, RHSP
53. Andrew Perez, LHRP
54. Josue Guerrero, LF
55. Jacob Lindgren, LHRP
56. Ryan Cordell, CF
57. Joel Booker, LF
58. Bennett Sousa, LHRP
59. Blake Battenfield, RHSP
60. Caberea Weaver, CF
61. Matt Foster, RHRP
62. Tate Blackman, 2B
63. Hunter Schryver, LHRP
64. Romy González, CF
65. Carlos Perez, C
66. Trey Michalczewski, 3B
67. Taylor Varnell, LHSP
68. John Parke, LHSP
69. Mike Morrison, RHRP
70. Zach Remillard, 3B
71. Luis Martinez, RHSP
72. Zach Lewis, RHSP
73. José Nin, RHRP
74. Colton Turner, LHSP
75. Jhoandro Alfonso, C
76. Ramon Beltre, 2B
77. Charlie Tilson, CF
78. Hunter Kiel, RHRP
79. Jason Bilous, RHSP
80. Nick Johnson, RHRP
81. Danny Dopico, RHRP
82. Harvin Mendoza, 1B
83. Logan Sowers, RF
84. Maiker Feliz, 3B
85. Brayan Herrera, RHSP
86. Craig Dedelow, LF
87. Wilber Pérez, RHSP
88. Kyle Kubat, LHRP
89. Johan Dominguez, RHRP
90. Mitch Roman, 2B
91. Ty Greene, C
92. Tanner Banks, LHSP
93. Jake Elliott, RHRP
94. Kevin Escorcia, LHRP
95. Luis Rodriguez, RHSP
96. Ian Dawkins, LF
97. Victor Diaz, RHRP
98. Travis Moniot, LF
99. Will Kincanon, RHRP
100. Brian Clark, LHRP

More information on South Side Top Prospects.