Rum Bunter
FanSided

Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Who Could Be Lost in the Rule 5 Draft

By Marty Leap

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 12: Ben Cherington, general manager of the Boston Red Sox, leaves the field before a game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 12, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 12: Ben Cherington, general manager of the Boston Red Sox, leaves the field before a game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 12, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 06: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches the game in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 06, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 06: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches the game in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 06, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Infielder Malcolm Nuñez

As part of this past summer’s José Quintana trade the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Malcolm Nuñez from the St. Louis Cardinals. When Nuñez was acquired he was a top 10 prospect in the Cardinal farm system.

Nuñez has played first base, third base, and served as a designed hitter in the minor leagues. Although, his long-term future appears to be at first base or as a DH. When Nuñez was acquired it appeared the Pirates could have him in their long-term plans at first base.

Nuñez being left unprotected from the Rule 5 Draft did come as a bit of surprise. When he was acquired it appeared to be a safe bet that he would be protected because, if nothing else, it seemed unlikely the Pirates would acquire him that close to being Rule 5 Draft eligible without having plans of protecting him.

During the minor league season in 2022 Nuñez hit for a .262/.367/.466 slash line with a 117 wRC+ in 493 PAs across the Double-A and Triple-A levels. He drew walks at 14.0%, struck out in 20.9% of his trips to the plate, and he hit 23 home runs. Typically, a young power hitting prospect that has already reached the Triple-A level will not be left exposed in the Rule 5 Draft.

Next. Prospects Poised to Breakout in 2023. dark

History would indicate that Nuñez is unlikely to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Very rarely are first baseman selected in the draft. That said, with the universal DH now being place that could add to Nuñez’s value and interest from National League clubs. Additionally, a prospect that is already as close to the majors as Nuñez is with the power potential he has is likely to interest clubs.

Home/Pirates Prospects