Cedric Mullins struggled last season, recording only 22 hits and a .565 OPS, which really affected his performance.
Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Anthony Nunez, who was part of the trade that sent Mullins from the Mets to the Orioles last summer, has made a strong impression during his initial time in the majors. He has posted an impressive 1.35 ERA across 13 and a third innings in 12 games.
His average of 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings is notable, too.
The Mets initially brought Mullins over hoping to solidify their center field, but things didn’t quite pan out as expected. He only managed to hit .182/.284/.565 in 143 at-bats over 42 games, while the team struggled to make the playoffs.
Before the trade, Mullins showcased a better performance with the Orioles, featuring a .738 OPS, 15 home runs, and 49 RBIs. However, while with the Mets, he barely contributed, hitting just two home runs and 10 RBIs.
In the deal that sent Mullins to New York, the Mets also gave up Nunez, along with two lesser-known prospects, Chandler Marsh and Raimon Gomez. Nunez, who was the most highly regarded among them, transitioned from a position player to a reliever.
He excelled across three levels, striking out 83 batters in 56 and two-thirds innings, resulting in a 2.86 ERA. In a twist of fate, he had been expected to start the season in the minors. However, an injury opened up opportunities, allowing him to impress many, pitching as if he was eager to avoid a minor league stint.
Though a 12-game sample size in the majors is brief, Nunez has steadily become a dependable part of the Orioles’ bullpen, often seeing action in critical seventh and eighth innings.
He secured his first save on April 22 against the Royals, striking out two batters in an 8-6 victory.
The Mets could certainly use someone like Nunez in their bullpen right about now, especially with Devin Williams facing challenges and Luke Weaver showing inconsistency.
Reflecting on his major league debut, Nunez said, “It was a dream come true,” expressing excitement to showcase his talents. He remarked, “It’s been a crazy journey. Everything that has happened in my career has led me to this point. There have been a lot of sacrifices and a lot of hardships. But I have a lot of gratitude in my heart.”
