At 26-46, the second-worst record in the major leagues, and seven straight losses, there hasn’t been much to look forward to for the 2017 San Francisco Giants.
After the Diamondbacks mounted a three-run comeback, newly acquired $62 million closer Mark Melancon blew the save against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day, foreshadowing a bullpen roster that actually hadn’t improved from 2016. Madison Bumgarner crashed his dirt bike. Jarrett Parker crashed into the wall. And left field, or the lack thereof, came crashing down on the Giants.
For a team that supposedly did everything right, the Giants sure aren’t seeing much success. They boast a .361 winning percentage. They rank third-to-last in the majors in runs scored and batting average and are dead last home run-wise with 57. They’re tied with Atlanta for 20th in ERA at 4.61, which is less than ideal if you pride your clubhouse as a “pitching team” like the Giants do. And if that isn’t enough for you- they haven’t had a winning record all season.
But a luminous spark on an otherwise calamitous black canvas marks Eduardo Nunez, who is quietly, but definitively, paving his way to a stand out season.
Response to Nunez’s acquisition in 2016 was somewhat resentful, thanks to Giants fans who were (understandably) bitter over the Matt Duffy trade. His first half of 2016 with Minnesota was solid enough to land him his first All-Star berth. But when Nunez debuted with the Giants, his second half was considerably quieter. He batted .269 compared to a first half .296 and 12 of his 16 homers came with Minnesota. Although he was speedy on the bases (40 stolen bases on the year) and provided useful utility defense, he still seemed to fly under the radar. Not to mention, he also missed the entire playoffs with a hamstring issue. He was good, but not good enough for a demanding Giants fanbase, and they were quick to write him off, mainly because he wasn’t Duffy.
However, 2017 has seen the Nunez that Bruce Bochy was hoping for emerge. At .299/.323/.413, he ranks second in batting average and fourth in on base percentage when compared to the rest of the Giants starters. He leads the team in hits (76) and stolen bases (17). His versatility in the field made him a viable left field option when the Giants were desperately seeking a solution. He can play just about anywhere else you need him to. Besides his 38 games at third this season and his 18 in left, Nunez has played nine games at shortstop and two in right field. He’s batted up and down the order, and has even led off for the Giants three separate times.
To put it frankly, Nunez is offering a tad bit of solace in an otherwise desolate season. Nunez has shown an eagerness to play each day, which is more than admirable considering how hard that is to do when you lose over 60 percent of your games. More than that, he’s proved as a dependable staple in a suffering Giants lineup. And, should the Giants decide to sell at the deadline, he’s proven his value. His defensive adaptability is probably his most valuable trait, but his speed on the bases and his consistency in getting on highlights Nunez as a valuable piece for teams contemplating steady utility players to help them compete in September.
Nunez is one of, if not the most pleasant surprises of 2017, with only Ty Blach also in the discussion. In a down year for Pence and Brandon Belt, Nunez has filled in admirably as a player who sets an example on a daily basis. And while the Giants don’t have much to be optimistic about, and probably won’t for a while, the storyline of Nunez is a small beacon in an otherwise bleak 2017.
