It’s been an up-and-down career for today’s prospect.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Pre-Season Prospect Countdown, this time looking at the top 40 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publications’ scouting reports if available.
Let’s take a look at our 24th-best prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, Rainer Nuñez.
Getting to know Rainer Nuñez…
Position: First base
Bats: Right
Born: December 4, 2000
Acquired: 2017 International Free Agency
Previous ranking: Not ranked (35th in 2024’s pre-season ranking)
Signed during the 2017 International Free Agency period, Nuñez didn’t make his professional debut until 2018. After two mediocre seasons in rookie ball (84 wRC+ in 2018 and 55 wRC+ in 2019), Nuñez had a mini-breakout in 2021, slashing .273/.373/.477 with six home runs in 169 plate appearances.
Thanks to a strong start in Single-A where he slashed .299/.328/.482 with 15 home runs in 384 plate appearances in 2022, he ranked as our 22nd-best Blue Jays prospect in the mid-season update. Nuñez finished the season slashing .321/.379/.491 with four home runs in 116 plate appearances with the High-A Vancouver Canadians.
Moreover, he won the Florida State League batting title for his work in Single-A. With Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Winter League, he slashed .263/.303/.445 with seven home runs in 145 plate appearances, leading the league in home runs and winning its Rookie of the Year award.
After a strong 2022, Nuñez ranked as our 16th-best prospect in the organization for the 2023 pre-season update. The first baseman repeated the High-A level to begin the 2023 season, slashing .309/.390/.446 with three home runs in 159 plate appearances. However, he struggled to adjust to Double-A batting when he was inevitably called up, slashing .224/.273/.352 with 10 home runs in 326 plate appearances for a 70 wRC+.
Nuñez had a much better 2024 season in Double-A, hence his ranking, as he slashed .275/.349/.416 with 12 home runs in 433 plate appearances. He also walked 10.2% of the time, well up from his 3.6 BB% in Single-A in 2022.
The 24-year-old’s calling card is his power. He produces some of the best exit velocities in the organization, but also drives the ball into the ground a lot (53.6 ground ball percentage in 2024). His hit tool isn’t bad though, hitting for a respectable average while being able to take a walk. Nuñez’s strikeout rate has crept up the higher he’s gotten in the minor leagues. As for his defence, he’s destined to play first base or designated hitter.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
