When it comes to underrated players, Eduardo Nunez is sometimes left out of the discussion. That is just how underrated this new Boston Red Sox infielder is.
But statistically, he can be placed in the same category as Jose Altuve, Elvis Andrus, Mookie Betts, Charlie Blackmon, Ryan Bryan, Paul Goldschmidt, Jose Ramirez, Mike Trout. Stat provided by Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf).
Since the outset of the 2016 season, Nunez is among eight hitters who’ve hit more than 20 home runs, stole more than 20 bases, driven in over 100 runs, all while batting over .295.
Nunez has not let the trade to Boston phase him mentally as he has flourished at the plate since joining the squad. In the 17 games, he has posted a .372 batting average, clobbered 4 round-trippers, knocked in 13 runs and crossed the plate on 10 occasions.
He has been slapping the ball all over the field with four three-hit games and 10 multi-hit games.
Since joining the Red Sox July 28 via a trade with the San Francisco Giants, his 29 hits rank among the tops in the league.
His first 19 hits with the team also tied a franchise record (Charlie Hemphill, 1901) for most hits in the first 10 games with the squad.
Nunez’s consistency hasn’t just been with the bat, he has been solid in the field as well. Thus far, he has committed just 11 errors on the diamond.
Eight of those 11 miscues came at the hot corner during his tenure with the Giants. Nunez did commit an error at second base in his first game with the BoSox, but we can just chalk that up to the new team jitters.
It is evident that Nunez has been the offensive juggernaut the team needed to make a late playoff push in the competitive AL East.
When you look up underrated in the dictionary you will see Nunez’s goofy smirk while he patiently awaits a reasonable size contract to come his way this offseason. He will be a free agent this winter.
For now, Nunez will be helping the Red Sox maintain their lead in the AL East as the season enters the home stretch.
Nunez will be spending a majority of his time at second base with Dustin Pedroia sidelined with a left-knee injury.
Nunez and the Red Sox will be back in action Friday at 7:10 p.m. as they play host to the New York Yankees in the first tilt of a three-game series.
