MINORS THREAT 4/29: Who is Gus Nunez and why is he hitting .333?

The Braves love reclamation projects, and Gustavo Nunez definitely came off the scrap heap to be a key part of the 2014 M-Braves. The shortstop-outfielder was the SS for the Tigers' Class AAA club last year, hitting a robust .194 in 61 games. But he's only 26, a switch-hitter, and a product of the sandlots of San Pedro de Macoris. Tigers signed him in 2007 as a teen, and was in their system until this year. He could easily have packed it in in 2012, when Arizona selected him in the Rule V draft, then returned him to less than pleasant greeting with the Tigers at the last minute. He played in only 14 games that year.

But a change of scenery and dropping a level have agreed with Nunez. He is currently in the Top 10 among Southern League hitters in a pitching dominated league, batting .333 with little pop but only 12 strikeouts in his first 23 games. He's also one of the few M-Braves who's gotten off to a good offensive start to this season. He's likely and one-and-doner, but he is going to be a stabilizing force on that team as the year grows longer.

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CLASS AAA

Gwinnett 9, Toledo 2

WP: Floyd (1-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR.
La Stella 1-5, 2 RBIs.
Hamilton 2-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBIs.
Kazmar 2-4, 2B, R, RBI. (.344)
Terdoslavich 2-5, R, RBI.
Bethancourt 2-5, 2B, R, RBI. (.203)

CLASS AA

Mississippi, idle.

ADVANCED CLASS A

Lynchburg @ Potomac, ppd.

CLASS A

Asheville 8, Rome 2

LP: Dettman (0-3) 5.2 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.
E. Garcia 3-5, HR (1st), RBI. (.194)
Meneses 1-4, HR (4th), RBI.