WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO EDUARDO NUNEZ?

It’s been awhile since we have heard anything about Eduardo Nunez. Sure he was out for a while with a hand injury so that makes sense, but he’s back now. There has been a lot of buzz this season from the kids in Triple-A but it feels like he is barely a blip on the radar screen so I can’t help but wonder….does Nunez have a future as a Yankee?

The last time I heard Girardi talk about Nunez in great detail it was on the Joe Girardi show a few weeks ago. He didn’t even give many specific examples, it was more of one of those encouraging, vague answers that he gives sometimes. In fact, all he said was that Nunez was “working hard” and that the Yankees “still see him as the future everyday shortstop.” He has missed a lot of time and his numbers aren’t anything to brag about with a .242BA but we are getting close to that time of year when September call ups are just around the corner. With the lack of news about him, I just don’t know that he fits in the future plans of this team. Here is what I do see….

Brandon Laird: He’s no stranger to us, we saw him last year during September call ups and he is very versatile. Brandon Laird can play first, third and even left field. Laird is very good defensively, he has even won a Gold Glove down in the minors. I wonder if the Yankees would’ve lost Eric Chavez to injury if he would’ve had a chance to fill in our bench. Laird also had an amazing month of July with a .313BA and for the year he has 27 doubles, 13 homeruns, and 67 RBIs so it is hard not to notice him.

Kevin Russo: He has also missed significant time on the disabled list this year, but since coming back in late June he has been a constant hitter with a .299BA and a .381 average against lefties. He also has good speed on the bases and has successfully stolen 14 bases in 19 attempts. He is also a utility infielder that can play almost anywhere in the infield so what he lacks in power he makes up in other areas. I think he and Nunez share similar strengths, but given the struggles Nunez has with his defense Russo seems to be a safer bet as a long term option in Triple-A. He is not on the 40-man roster, so he wouldn’t steal a call up from Nunez but he could be stealing some of his thunder.

Corban Joseph: He hasn’t been on the Triple-A team that long, but he has made a big impression in that short time. His offensive has cooled off lately, but when he first joined the team he was hitting .281. In the short time he has played he already has 28 RBIs, and almost as many walks (36) as he does strikeouts (41). I like Corban because I think he has a good eye and plays a sound second base. He also has extra value with some previous experience at third base as well.

Ramiro Pena: There isn’t much to say about him that we don’t already know. Pena can play shortstop, second and third base so he has a lot to offer. I think defensively, he may be one of the best prospects…but we know when it comes to offense he isn’t going to give you much. Nunez may have an advantage on him in this case, but Pena won’t cause as many errors. It’s a toss-up here, but I have to wonder if being on a team that has won a World Series ring before can overlook his short comings.

I have always said that the Yankees have a strong farm system, but when I look at the other infielders I see a lot of similarities with Nunez. It’s hard to be an infield prospect for the Yankees to begin with because you are in the shadows of Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, ARod, and Mark Teixeira, and you are a small finish in a big pond of minor league talent. All of these guys have something to offer, and everyone in this article except for Russo is also on the 40-man roster. As much as I hate to say it, Nunez is stuck in a utility infield log jam and he is competing for a job and I hope he can prove those who doubt him wrong.

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ


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