Outlook Nasim Nunez
Elite Speed Tool Gives Nasim Nunez Intriguing Late-Round Fantasy Appeal
Nasim Nunez enters the season with a clear opportunity to establish himself in the majors, currently slated as Washington's everyday second baseman and the primary backup at shortstop. At just 25 years old, the dynamic infielder has earned rave reviews for his high-intensity play and spectacular defensive glove. He should secure plenty of playing time if his defense remains elite, though he will need to prove he can hit enough to maintain a hold on a regular spot in the lineup.
From a fantasy perspective, Nunez is a one-category specialist with game-changing upside on the basepaths. Our projections expect him to steal 24 bases in a limited 273 at-bats, showing just how active he is when he gets on base. However, the rest of his offensive profile carries significant risk; our models project a weak .227 batting average, a .291 on-base percentage, and minimal power with just four home runs. He will rely heavily on his walk rate and bunt hits to generate on-base opportunities.
Ultimately, Nunez is a target for fantasy managers who find themselves desperate for stolen bases late in drafts. He offers virtually no power or RBI support, making him a batting average liability, but his elite speed gives him a very high ceiling in the stolen base category. If you can buffer his average with high-contact hitters early in your draft, Nunez is a cheap source of speed worth taking a flyer on in deeper formats.
Updated 3 days ago
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Outlook Sal Stewart
Sal Stewart's elite rookie power-speed combo remains a must-start despite upcoming matchup test
Sal Stewart has hit a minor speed bump over the last fortnight, batting .222 with two home runs, but he continues to anchor Cincinnati's lineup as the everyday starter at first base. With star Elly De La Cruz sidelined on the injured list, the fifth-place Reds are relying heavily on their rookie standout to carry the offense.
While his recent average has dipped, Stewart’s season-long line of 14 homers and 11 steals in 73 games has already eclipsed our models' full-season projections for speed and put him on track to easily surpass his 18-homer projection. His strong .354 on-base percentage and stellar hard-contact rates assure fantasy managers that this minor slump is just a temporary regression.
Cincinnati heads to New York this weekend for a challenging three-game series against the first-place Yankees and their elite pitching staff. Stewart will face tough tasks against Cam Schlittler (1.82 ERA), Will Warren, and Gerrit Cole, but his locked-in volume and elite ceiling make him impossible to bench. Verdict: Start.
Updated 3 days ago
