Renato Núñez

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Renato Núñez
Núñez with the Baltimore Orioles in 2018
Guerreros de Oaxaca – No. 39
Third baseman
Born: (1994-04-04) April 4, 1994 (age 30)
Valencia, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 12, 2016, for the Oakland Athletics
NPB: March 25, 2022, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Batting average.245
Home runs56
Runs batted in154
NPB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.174
Home runs4
Runs batted in12
Teams

Renato Rafael Núñez (born April 4, 1994) is a Venezuelan professional baseball third baseman for the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Career[edit]

Oakland Athletics[edit]

Núñez signed with the Oakland Athletics as an international free agent at 16 in 2010.[1] He made his professional debut that season for the Dominican Summer League Athletics. In 2011, Núñez played for the Arizona League Athletics, hitting .325/.403/.550 and four home runs over 42 games.[2] He played for the Beloit Snappers in 2013. He hit .258/.301/.423 with 19 home runs in 128 games.[3] Núñez played the 2014 season with the Stockton Ports. In July, he played in the All-Star Futures Game, where he singled.[4][5] He finished the season hitting .279/.336/.517 with 29 home runs.[6] After the season, the Athletics added Núñez to their 40-man roster.[7] He played the 2015 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds before participating in the Arizona Fall League. He played the entire 2016 minor league season with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, and was called up to the Athletics on September 12.[8] Núñez was assigned to Nashville for the 2017 season. He was selected to play in the 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game in which he hit a three-run home run to help the Pacific Coast League defeat the International League, earning him the MVP Award for the Pacific Coast League.[9]

Texas Rangers[edit]

Núñez injured his left hamstring in the first week of spring training in 2018. He began the season on the disabled list and was sent to Nashville on rehabilitation assignment. Nearing the end of the assignment and out of options, Nunez was placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Texas Rangers on April 15.[10] After appearing in 13 games and batting .167/.244/.278 with two RBIs in 36 at-bats, he was designated for assignment by the Rangers when Rougned Odor was activated from the disabled list on May 11.[11]

Baltimore Orioles[edit]

Núñez was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on May 13, 2018 and outrighted to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides two days later on May 15.[12][13] His contract was selected two months later on July 20, and he made his Orioles debut as the starting third baseman in a ten-inning 8–7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre that same night.[14][15] His opportunity at becoming the regular third baseman was made possible by the fire sale trade of Manny Machado two days prior during the All-Star break. He played in 60 games and batted .275/.336/.445/.781 with thirteen doubles, seven homers and twenty runs batted in by the end of 2018.[16]

He achieved his first-ever five-hit game in a 6–5 away defeat to the New York Yankees on August 14, 2019.[17] The starting designated hitter in 109 games in 2019, he ranked second on the team with 31 home runs and 90 runs batted in and third in doubles with 24.[18]

In 2020 for the Orioles, Núñez slashed .256/.324/.492 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI.[19] Despite leading the team with 43 homers since the start of 2019, he was designated for assignment on November 20, 2020. The Orioles needed to create a spot on its 40-man roster to protect an additional minor-league prospect in preparation for the Rule 5 draft.[20] He was released five days later on November 25 after he cleared unconditional waivers and the Orioles were unable to trade him. He had been projected to get a raise between $2 million and $4 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility.[21]

Detroit Tigers[edit]

On February 10, 2021, Núñez signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization that included an invitation to Spring Training.[22] On March 27, 2021, Tigers manager A. J. Hinch announced that Núñez was cut from the opening day roster.[23] Núñez had three days to accept his minor league assignment or opt out of his contract and become a free agent. He chose the former on March 29, and was assigned to AAA Toledo.[24]

On April 11, 2021, Núñez was selected to the active roster after Miguel Cabrera was placed on the 10-day injured list.[25] On April 12 against the Houston Astros, Núñez hit his first home run as a Tiger.[26] On April 21, Núñez was designated for assignment by Detroit after hitting just .148/.207/.444 with 2 home runs.[27] On April 26, he was outrighted to the alternate training site.[28] On August 11, 2021, Núñez was once again selected to the active roster after Derek Hill was placed on the 10-day injured list and Akil Baddoo was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list.[29] On August 21, Núñez was once again designated for assignment by the Tigers.[30] On August 23, he cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Toledo.[30] On August 27, Núñez was released by the Tigers.[31]

Milwaukee Brewers[edit]

On August 30, 2021, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Núñez to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.[32] On October 13, Núñez elected free agency.[33]

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters[edit]

On November 5, 2021, Núñez signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball.[34] In 2022, Núñez appeared in 63 games for the Fighters, mustering a .174/.228/.299 batting line with 4 home runs and 12 RBI.

Toros de Tijuana[edit]

On January 4, 2023, Núñez signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[35] In 9 games, he batted .303/.425/.455 with 10 hits and 4 RBIs. He was released on May 2.[36]

Acereros de Monclova[edit]

On June 13, 2023, Núñez signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[citation needed] In 6 games, he slashed .160/.185/.240 with 4 hits and 4 RBIs.

Leones de Yucatán[edit]

On June 26, 2023, Núñez had his rights traded to the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League, and officially signed on June 27.[32] In 5 games, he batted .167/.167/.222 with 3 hits and 1 RBI. Núñez was released on July 3.[37]

Guerreros de Oaxaca[edit]

On December 20, 2023, Núñez signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[38]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pashelka, Curtis (July 2, 2010). "Athletics Update: Venezuelan sensation Renato Nunez, 16, signs". Oakland Tribune. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  2. ^ "Minors' top lineups, league by league". MILB.com. April 4, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  3. ^ Dykstra, Sam (June 25, 2014). "Ports' Nunez shows off power potential". MILB.com. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  4. ^ "Two Former Snappers Named to MLB Futures Game". MILB.com. June 25, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  5. ^ Lee, Jane (July 13, 2014). "A's prospect Nunez notches hit in Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  6. ^ Sickels, John (September 25, 2014). "Oakland Athletics Top 20 2014 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review". Minor League Ball. SBNation. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  7. ^ Singer, Tom (November 20, 2014). "Athletics add infielder Nunez to 40-man roster". MLB.com. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  8. ^ Slusser, Susan (September 12, 2016). "A's call up prospects Matt Olson, Renato Nunez". San Francisco Gate. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  9. ^ Ravich, Jared (July 13, 2017). "Nunez slugs PCL to Triple-A All-Star win". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  10. ^ Lee, Jane (April 15, 2018). "A's lose Nunez to Rangers on waiver claim". MLB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  11. ^ "Rangers' Renato Núñez: Designated for assignment," CBSSports.com, Friday, May 11, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2019
  12. ^ "Orioles claim INF Renato Nunez off waivers from Rangers," Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, May 13, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2019
  13. ^ Meoli, Jon. "Infielder Renato Núñez clears waivers, Orioles outright him to Triple-A Norfolk," The Baltimore Sun, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2019
  14. ^ Kubatko, Roch. "Orioles DFA Chris Tillman, Renato Núñez in tonight’s lineup," Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), Friday, July 20, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2019
  15. ^ Harrison, Ian. "Diaz has winning hit as Blue Jays beat Orioles 8-7 in 10," The Associated Press (AP), Friday, July 20, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2019
  16. ^ Melewski, Steve. "A look ahead: Is Renato Núñez the choice for third base in 2019?" Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), Thursday, October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2019
  17. ^ Trezza, Joe. "O's can't crack Yankees in last 2019 chance," MLB.com, Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019
  18. ^ Kubatko, Roch. "Núñez made it easy to slot him as designated hitter in 2020," Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), Thursday, October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2019
  19. ^ "Renato Núñez Stats, Fantasy & News | MLB.com". MLB.com.
  20. ^ Trezza, Joe. "O's add 5 Top 30 prospects to 40-man roster," MLB.com, Friday, November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020
  21. ^ Trezza, Joe. "Orioles claim Shaw from SF, release Núñez," MLB.com, Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020
  22. ^ "Tigers Sign Renato Nunez".
  23. ^ Petzold, Evan (March 27, 2021). "Detroit Tigers set Opening Day roster: Renato Nunez out, Harold Castro, Akil Baddoo in". freep.com. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  24. ^ Petzold, Evan (March 29, 2021). "Detroit Tigers set Opening Day roster: Renato Nunez out, Harold Castro, Akil Baddoo in". freep.com. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  25. ^ "Tigers Place Miguel Cabrera On 10-Day IL, Select Renato Nunez's Contract". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  26. ^ Petzold, Evan (April 12, 2021). "Detroit Tigers' Casey Mize impresses for first MLB win in 6-2 victory over Houston Astros". freep.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  27. ^ "Tigers Designate Renato Nunez for Assignment".
  28. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 4/26/21". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  29. ^ Petzold, Evan (August 11, 2021). "Detroit Tigers' Akil Baddoo, Derek Hill to IL; Zack Short, Renato Nunez promoted". freep.com. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Tigers Outright Renato Nunez".
  31. ^ "Central Notes: Royals, Cardinals, Tigers". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Renato Núñez Stats, Fantasy & News". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  33. ^ "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  34. ^ "【日本ハム】右の強打者・27歳ヌ二エスと契約合意 19年オリオールズで31本塁打 新庄監督は「日本の野球にフィットする可能性が高い」活躍に太鼓判(中日スポーツ)".
  35. ^ Ex MLB Venezolano firma con club de Verano en Mexico tras un ano en Japon [dead link]
  36. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 2 de mayo de 2023". MiLB.com (in Spanish). May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  37. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de julio de 2023". MiLB.com (in Spanish). July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  38. ^ "Guerreros: Renato Núñez se vestirá de bélico en el 2024". milb.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.

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