FLUSHING, NY — Nasim Nuñez sprinted out of the Washington Nationals visiting dugout Tuesday evening of Citi Field and completed his pre-game routine on his knees with ground balls zooming into his glove. The 25-year-old infielder of Dominican heritage says it’s a part of his routine.
The Nationals are young, aggressive on the bases, and yes, they stress defense. Nuñez, born in the Bronx, NY, with that designation as a first round pick in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, is making the best of his opportunity as that everyday player in the lineup for manager Blake Butera.
And this week entering a three-game series with the Mets, it was Nuñez who had a National League leading 13 stolen bases. The Nationals as a team entered the series tied for third in Major League Baseball with 156 runs, second-most in franchise history in the first month of a season.
In 28 games played in 2026, Nasim Nuñez has made the best of his opportunity as an everyday player in the lineup and on the diamond for the Nationals – Image Credit: Chris Gonzalez/Baseball Ahora
Nuñez (25), James Wood (23), and CJ Abrams (25) are just part of the equation of a young and vibrant roster in Washington, D.C. The Nationals have been in a rebuilding mode the past few years, Nuñez, though positioned at second base and batting last in the order, can be that catalyst towards run production.
“You know, I just feel like I try to get up there and have as much as I possibly can, especially when the situation calls for it so I’m always prepared to do my job,” he said. “We believe in ourselves as a team.”
Basically, Nuñez is a team player and higher-ups in the organization always believed in his ability as part of their young core. Originally, a Marlins second round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Nuñez was fortunate to become that Rule 5 player. Opportunity has presented itself and he has produced, tying a career-high four RBI in the Nationals’ previous series vs. the White Sox.
He may not hit for power. Nuñez, though, gets on base and plays stellar defense in the infield. The progression also has sparked an interest and of course that will also earn stripes with an organization which strives on development.
“It all translates from the minor leagues and then talking to their coaches and gaining trust in what we’re doing,” he said. “Them just trusting me too, and allowing me to go out there and do what I do. I saw myself being a gamer since I was a kid, so this is all part of it.”
On Tuesday, a 8-0 Nats loss, he got on base via a walk in two at-bats. It was not a frustrating loss as Nuñez knows this is a Nationals team that can score runs in bunches.
Nuñez earned early season NL Player of the Week honors (March 30) for his defense—an unreal throw from the hole at short from his feet to record an out.
It made the highlight reel. He drew two more walks in Wednesday’s 14-2 win and scored on a Wood double in the seventh inning.
“At this point, it’s really just self-belief,” he said. “A lot of the hard work I’ve done when we were younger and all season and spring training, You know, we still try to work hard, but you gotta have more self-belief than anything.”
This was his first visit to Citi Field as an active player. Though he did explore New York on the Nationals off-day Monday by getting a brief manicure and taking in a live performance in midtown. He has enjoyed being with teammates and hardly remembers the Big Apple.
Despite being born in the Bronx, he grew up and was raised as a youngster in Suwannee, Georgia.
Nasim Nuñez was born in the Bronx, NY, and grew up in Suwannee, Georgia, attending Collins Hill High School – Image Credit: Chris Gonzalez/Baseball Ahora
On what he enjoys most about playing in the nation’s capital: “Everything, the food, I like the monuments and stuff.”
Nuñez, later stating, “We’re playing a lot better than people thought,” also said this is a team that believes in themselves. And the Nationals have that mentality of believing every time he takes the field. He’s healthy, athletic and has played part of that rebuilding system for a team progressing with new personnel and player development that contains a great reputation around baseball circles.
And Nasim Nuñez, with a great attitude, can grow more with the potential to be an All-Star down the line.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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