Elk Grove (Calif.) has produced 11 big leaguers, most notably Buck Martinez, and Nunez's teammates there included Astros third baseman J.D. Davis, future first-round picks Dylan Carlson and Derek Hill, and slugging Blue Jays prospect Rowdy Tellez. The Rockies signed Nunez for an above-slot $800,000 as a 2013 sixth-rounder and shifted him from middle infielder to catcher after his pro debut. The transition behind the plate has gone well but his offensive numbers have declined each year since he moved behind the plate.
With soft hands and more quickness than most catchers, Nunez has steadily improved into a solid receiver. He has arm strength to match and has gotten better with his transfer and accuracy. He impresses with his leadership skills as well, and there's no doubt that he'll be able to catch at the big league level.
Whether he'll be able to hit is another question after he slid to .202/.335/.354 in Double-A last year, then went 4-for-44 in the Arizona Fall League. He has a nice left-handed stroke, the raw power to hit 15 homers per year and some patience, so there's hope. While he doesn't swing and miss excessively, pitchers goad him into a lot of weak contact to the opposite field. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 199 23 2 8.7 87.5 25.7 .131 .275 .264 .203 .289 26.1 39.5 7.0 ALL 199 23 2 8.7 87.5 25.7 .131 .275 .264 .203 .289 26.1 39.5 7.0 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 08/13/2019 Colorado Rockies selected the contract of C Dom Nunez from Albuquerque Isotopes. 03/26/2019 C Dom Nunez assigned to Colorado Rockies. 03/25/2019 C Dom Nunez assigned to Albuquerque Isotopes from Hartford Yard Goats. 02/06/2019 Colorado Rockies invited non-roster C Dom Nunez to spring training. 01/29/2018 Colorado Rockies invited non-roster C Dom Nunez to spring training. 04/03/2017 C Dom Nunez assigned to Hartford Yard Goats from Lancaster JetHawks. 02/02/2017 Colorado Rockies invited non-roster C Dom Nunez to spring training. 04/03/2016 Dom Nunez assigned to Modesto Nuts from Asheville Tourists. 02/11/2016 Colorado Rockies invited non-roster C Dom Nunez to spring training. 04/07/2015 C Dom Nunez assigned to Asheville Tourists from Grand Junction Rockies. 03/28/2015 C Dom Nunez assigned to Colorado Rockies. 06/19/2013 Colorado Rockies signed 2B Dom Nunez. 06/19/2013 C Dom Nunez assigned to Grand Junction Rockies.
