Malcom Nunez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Nunez starred as an amateur in Cuba and carried that momentum into his 2018 pro debut upon signing with the Cardinals, winning the Dominican Summer League triple crown with a .415/.497/.774 slash line. He struggled mightily the following year, but has shown far more consistency over the last two seasons. The Pirates acquired Nunez at the 2022 deadline in the Jose Quintana trade. He hit 23 homers between the two systems, briefly reaching Triple-A as a 21-year-old. The Pirates left him unprotected ahead of the 2022 Rule 5 draft.
  
  Scouting Report: Nunez is capable of cranking out some majestic pull-side homers via his violent, strength-based swing. He has a relatively simple move to the ball, although scouts point out he still has a minor hitch in his load, and posts exit velocities in excess of 110 mph. He became more selective in 2022, swinging at just under 40% of pitches. His breaking ball recognition improved out of necessity as older pitchers found it unwise to challenge him with too many fastballs. Nunez doesn't always maximize his power potential, though, as his groundball rate traditionally hovers around 50%. Almost all of Nunez's value is tied to his hitting ability. Despite a strong arm, he has outgrown third base and his range is tested even at first base.
  
  The Future: There isn't much margin for error in Nunez's bat-only profile, but he shows intriguing hitting traits and will be just 22 years old on Opening Day. He should open 2023 with Triple-A Indianapolis.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 55.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #17 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Nunez, a star at the 2016 15U World Cup, signed with the Cardinals in 2018 out of Cuba, then won the Dominican Summer League triple crown that same year. His encore performance in 2019 failed to live up to expectations, as he struggled between Rookie ball and Low-A, and he spent the 2020 summer at the alternate training site. He got back on track in 2021, quickly advancing out of High-A before spending 54 games at Double-A Springfield.
  
  Scouting Report: Nunez is likely to always be a bat-first player, but the Cardinals had him focus on improving his defense at the alternate site while working with infield coordinator Jose Oquendo. The organization was encouraged by the gains he made, but opposing scouts are skeptical he can stay at third base due to his lack of mobility and his maxed out body. He has a strong arm that flashes plus. Nunez has fast bat speed and plus power, but opposing scouts are concerned with his setup due to a hand hitch that causes his hands to go up. He might never be an everyday big leaguer, but his bat gives him value off the bench.
  
  The Future: Nunez will likely start 2022 back at Double-A Springfield, but he could quickly move up to Triple-A Memphis.
  
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #17 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: One of the best players at the 2016 15U World Cup, Nunez has long been a productive hitter. The Cardinals may have landed a steal because they signed him in a year when they were unable to spend more than $300,000 on the international market. Nunez won the Dominican Summer League triple crown in his debut, hitting .415 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's follow-up was not nearly as impressive. He was demoted after struggling at low Class A Peoria, but didn't set the world on fire in the Appalachian League either. In 2020, Nunez was invited to the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he spent a lot of time working on his defense at third base. Nunez is already on the borderline of getting too big for the position, but he moves well for his size. He has an inconsistent arm that flashes plus. Nunez has plus power, above-average bat speed and solid plate coverage, but right now he has a grip-and-rip approach.
  
  THE FUTURE: It's fair to give a mulligan to a Cuban teenager jumping straight from the Dominican Summer League to the Midwest League. Nunez should get another shot at Class A. This year will be an important one to prove his bat is as advanced as advertised.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #18 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Nunez starred for Cuba's junior national teams as a teenager and signed with the Cardinals for $300,000 in 2018. He won the Dominican Summer League triple crown after signing, but fell flat in his U.S. debut in 2019. Nunez hit .183 in 21 games at low Class A Peoria before being demoted, then drew mixed reviews at Rookie-level Johnson City.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez is a thick-bodied masher defined by his bat. He flashes plus raw power and has the bat speed to turn around velocity. Nunez makes loud contact when he connects, but his approach is very raw. He is still learning to stay back on breaking balls and struggles to get to his power in games. Nunez is listed at 205 pounds but is closer to 225. He flashes soft hands and plus arm strength at third base, but his throwing is inconsistent and his size limits his range. He is a well below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Nunez has a thunderous bat, but he is very raw as both a hitter and defender and will have to watch his weight. He'll get another crack at low Class A Peoria in 2020.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #9 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A standout slugger in Cuba's youth national leagues, Nunez hit a tournament-best .667 (18-for-27) at the 2016 15U World Cup in Japan to lead Cuba to the gold medal. The Cardinals couldn't sign any international free agents for more than $300,000 in 2018, and they didn't think that would be enough to sign Nunez, but rotating agents and unclear signability chased away the competition. The Cardinals stayed on Nunez and, once his price came down, inked him for $300,000. He promptly went out and won the Dominican Summer League triple crown, batting .415 with 13 homers and 59 RBIs in 44 games as an age-appropriate 17-year-old.
  
  Scouting Report: Nunez is a strong, thick-bodied teenager who is more masher than pure hitter. His physically mature tool set contains plus power, plus arm strength and plenty of bat speed, and he has a sound idea of the strike zone. He especially punishes anything on the outer half of the plate, where he can get his arms extended. Nunez is deceptively athletic in his heavy, 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame, but he's still a below-average runner and fringy defender at third base, with the possibility for worse if he doesn't maintain his physique.
  
  The Future: Nunez will move to the U.S. in 2019, and his bat is prodigious enough he could low Class A Peoria. His ceiling is high, but he is many years away and will have to watch his fitness.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Nunez starred as an amateur in Cuba and carried that momentum into his 2018 pro debut upon signing with the Cardinals, winning the Dominican Summer League triple crown with a .415/.497/.774 slash line. He struggled mightily the following year, but has shown far more consistency over the last two seasons. The Pirates acquired Nunez at the 2022 deadline in the Jose Quintana trade. He hit 23 homers between the two systems, briefly reaching Triple-A as a 21-year-old. The Pirates left him unprotected ahead of the 2022 Rule 5 draft.
  
  Scouting Report: Nunez is capable of cranking out some majestic pull-side homers via his violent, strength-based swing. He has a relatively simple move to the ball, although scouts point out he still has a minor hitch in his load, and posts exit velocities in excess of 110 mph. He became more selective in 2022, swinging at just under 40% of pitches. His breaking ball recognition improved out of necessity as older pitchers found it unwise to challenge him with too many fastballs. Nunez doesn't always maximize his power potential, though, as his groundball rate traditionally hovers around 50%. Almost all of Nunez's value is tied to his hitting ability. Despite a strong arm, he has outgrown third base and his range is tested even at first base.
  
  The Future: There isn't much margin for error in Nunez's bat-only profile, but he shows intriguing hitting traits and will be just 22 years old on Opening Day. He should open 2023 with Triple-A Indianapolis.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Nunez starred as an amateur in Cuba and carried that momentum into his 2018 pro debut upon signing with the Cardinals, winning the Dominican Summer League triple crown with a .415/.497/.774 slash line. He struggled mightily the following year, but has shown far more consistency over the last two seasons. The Pirates acquired Nunez at the 2022 deadline in the Jose Quintana trade. He hit 23 homers between the two systems, briefly reaching Triple-A as a 21-year-old. The Pirates left him unprotected ahead of the 2022 Rule 5 draft.
  
  Scouting Report: Nunez is capable of cranking out some majestic pull-side homers via his violent, strength-based swing. He has a relatively simple move to the ball, although scouts point out he still has a minor hitch in his load, and posts exit velocities in excess of 110 mph. He became more selective in 2022, swinging at just under 40% of pitches. His breaking ball recognition improved out of necessity as older pitchers found it unwise to challenge him with too many fastballs. Nunez doesn't always maximize his power potential, though, as his groundball rate traditionally hovers around 50%. Almost all of Nunez's value is tied to his hitting ability. Despite a strong arm, he has outgrown third base and his range is tested even at first base.
  
  The Future: There isn't much margin for error in Nunez's bat-only profile, but he shows intriguing hitting traits and will be just 22 years old on Opening Day. He should open 2023 with Triple-A Indianapolis.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 40. Arm: 55.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Nunez, a star at the 2016 15U World Cup, signed with the Cardinals in 2018 out of Cuba, then won the Dominican Summer League triple crown that same year. His encore performance in 2019 failed to live up to expectations, as he struggled between Rookie ball and Low-A, and he spent the 2020 summer at the alternate training site. He got back on track in 2021, quickly advancing out of High-A before spending 54 games at Double-A Springfield.
  
  Scouting Report: Nunez is likely to always be a bat-first player, but the Cardinals had him focus on improving his defense at the alternate site while working with infield coordinator Jose Oquendo. The organization was encouraged by the gains he made, but opposing scouts are skeptical he can stay at third base due to his lack of mobility and his maxed out body. He has a strong arm that flashes plus. Nunez has fast bat speed and plus power, but opposing scouts are concerned with his setup due to a hand hitch that causes his hands to go up. He might never be an everyday big leaguer, but his bat gives him value off the bench.
  
  The Future: Nunez will likely start 2022 back at Double-A Springfield, but he could quickly move up to Triple-A Memphis.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Nunez, a star at the 2016 15U World Cup, signed with the Cardinals in 2018 out of Cuba, then won the Dominican Summer League triple crown that same year. His encore performance in 2019 failed to live up to expectations, as he struggled between Rookie ball and Low-A, and he spent the 2020 summer at the alternate training site. He got back on track in 2021, quickly advancing out of High-A before spending 54 games at Double-A Springfield.
  
  Scouting Report: Nunez is likely to always be a bat-first player, but the Cardinals had him focus on improving his defense at the alternate site while working with infield coordinator Jose Oquendo. The organization was encouraged by the gains he made, but opposing scouts are skeptical he can stay at third base due to his lack of mobility and his maxed out body. He has a strong arm that flashes plus. Nunez has fast bat speed and plus power, but opposing scouts are concerned with his setup due to a hand hitch that causes his hands to go up. He might never be an everyday big leaguer, but his bat gives him value off the bench.
  
  The Future: Nunez will likely start 2022 back at Double-A Springfield, but he could quickly move up to Triple-A Memphis.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: One of the best players at the 2016 15U World Cup, Nunez has long been a productive hitter. The Cardinals may have landed a steal because they signed him in a year when they were unable to spend more than $300,000 on the international market. Nunez won the Dominican Summer League triple crown in his debut, hitting .415 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's follow-up was not nearly as impressive. He was demoted after struggling at low Class A Peoria, but didn't set the world on fire in the Appalachian League either. In 2020, Nunez was invited to the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he spent a lot of time working on his defense at third base. Nunez is already on the borderline of getting too big for the position, but he moves well for his size. He has an inconsistent arm that flashes plus. Nunez has plus power, above-average bat speed and solid plate coverage, but right now he has a grip-and-rip approach.
  
  THE FUTURE: It's fair to give a mulligan to a Cuban teenager jumping straight from the Dominican Summer League to the Midwest League. Nunez should get another shot at Class A. This year will be an important one to prove his bat is as advanced as advertised.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: One of the best players at the 2016 15U World Cup, Nunez has long been a productive hitter. The Cardinals may have landed a steal because they signed him in a year when they were unable to spend more than $300,000 on the international market. Nunez won the Dominican Summer League triple crown in his debut, hitting .415 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's follow-up was not nearly as impressive. He was demoted after struggling at low Class A Peoria, but didn't set the world on fire in the Appalachian League either. In 2020, Nunez was invited to the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he spent a lot of time working on his defense at third base. Nunez is already on the borderline of getting too big for the position, but he moves well for his size. He has an inconsistent arm that flashes plus. Nunez has plus power, above-average bat speed and solid plate coverage, but right now he has a grip-and-rip approach.
  
  THE FUTURE: It's fair to give a mulligan to a Cuban teenager jumping straight from the Dominican Summer League to the Midwest League. Nunez should get another shot at Class A. This year will be an important one to prove his bat is as advanced as advertised.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: One of the best players at the 2016 15U World Cup, Nunez has long been a productive hitter. The Cardinals may have landed a steal because they signed him in a year when they were unable to spend more than $300,000 on the international market. Nunez won the Dominican Summer League triple crown in his debut, hitting .415 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez's follow-up was not nearly as impressive. He was demoted after struggling at low Class A Peoria, but didn't set the world on fire in the Appalachian League either. In 2020, Nunez was invited to the Cardinals' alternate training site, where he spent a lot of time working on his defense at third base. Nunez is already on the borderline of getting too big for the position, but he moves well for his size. He has an inconsistent arm that flashes plus. Nunez has plus power, above-average bat speed and solid plate coverage, but right now he has a grip-and-rip approach.
  
  THE FUTURE: It's fair to give a mulligan to a Cuban teenager jumping straight from the Dominican Summer League to the Midwest League. Nunez should get another shot at Class A. This year will be an important one to prove his bat is as advanced as advertised.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Nunez starred for Cuba’s junior national teams as a teenager and signed with the Cardinals for $300,000 in 2018. He won the Dominican Summer League triple crown after signing, but fell flat in his U.S. debut in 2019. Nunez hit .183 in 21 games at low Class A Peoria before being demoted, then drew mixed reviews at Rookie-level Johnson City.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez is a thick-bodied masher defined by his bat. He flashes plus raw power and has the bat speed to turn around velocity. Nunez makes loud contact when he connects, but his approach BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 50 Risk: High BA GRADE 55 Risk: Extreme is very raw. He is still learning to stay back on breaking balls and struggles to get to his power in games. Nunez is listed at 205 pounds but is closer to 225. He flashes soft hands and a plus arm at third base, but his throwing is inconsistent and his size limits his range. He is a well below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Nunez has a thunderous bat, but he is very raw as both a hitter and defender and will have to watch his weight. He’ll get another crack at low Class A Peoria in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Nunez starred for Cuba's junior national teams as a teenager and signed with the Cardinals for $300,000 in 2018. He won the Dominican Summer League triple crown after signing, but fell flat in his U.S. debut in 2019. Nunez hit .183 in 21 games at low Class A Peoria before being demoted, then drew mixed reviews at Rookie-level Johnson City.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez is a thick-bodied masher defined by his bat. He flashes plus raw power and has the bat speed to turn around velocity. Nunez makes loud contact when he connects, but his approach is very raw. He is still learning to stay back on breaking balls and struggles to get to his power in games. Nunez is listed at 205 pounds but is closer to 225. He flashes soft hands and plus arm strength at third base, but his throwing is inconsistent and his size limits his range. He is a well below-average runner.
  
  THE FUTURE: Nunez has a thunderous bat, but he is very raw as both a hitter and defender and will have to watch his weight. He'll get another crack at low Class A Peoria in 2020.