I doubt there is another team more active than the Dodgers when it comes to pursuing seemingly unknown or over-the-hill ballplayers. Their willingness to take risk is the reason they've been able to find 'diamonds in the rough' -- like Chris Taylor, Max Muncy, Charlie Culberson and Brandon Morrow. So, this unheralded announcement discovered earlier today should come as no surprise. We have found out, through a tweet by the ballplayer himself, that the Dodgers have signed 28-year old lefty hurler Chris Nunn.
Nunn is a former 24th-round draft pick of the Padres in 2012 and a recent employ of the Independent St. Paul Saints of the American Association. He is also a ballplayer who was originally noticed due to the efforts of a 'Pitching Ninja' name Rob Friedman. BTW, you can follow Chris on twitter here: @thenatural515.We can not control what opportunities come our way. Adversity is inevitable, and the story never goes as planned. However, today marks a day one of the most storied franchises in history. I am thankful and intend to honor this opportunity, Go @Dodgers— chris nunn (@thenatural515) April 17, 2019
So, who's this ninja dude and why did this guy get noticed?
Well, to answer the latter question first, Chris Nunn is now throwing 100 mph fastballs, per a tweet by the Pitching Ninja:
As for the Pitching Ninja, he is the reason Chriss Nunn got noticed in the first place -- first by the Rangers (who had him in their spring camp) and now the Dodgers. Per Scott Orgera at Forbes.com:Chris Nunn, Mechanics (T100mph). #FGFreeAgent— FlatGround (@FlatgroundApp) April 12, 2019
6'5" 100mph LHP, Free to a Good Home.
[Maybe not exactly free, but, pretty inexpensive...and he does have all of his shots.] pic.twitter.com/6qck5KUjwY
The main goal of FlatGround is two-fold, as developing ballplayers can utilize its already-growing community of coaches, front office personnel and even current and former big leaguers to solicit analysis and feedback on their form while pitchers at any level looking for additional exposure can present their best sessions to a large audience at no charge.
"I want to showcase as many young pitchers as I can. I want to prevent pitchers from falling through the cracks," Friedman said.It has always occurred to me that making it in Baseball (or any professional sports league, for that matter) sometimes includes a bit of luck. You've got to hope that the right person sees you when you are at your best, and even then there's no guarantee you'll get noticed. This initiative by Friedman, called FlatGround, is one program aimed at helping those who have fallen through the cracks.
...
"It was amazing for me to realize that two guys (Chris Dula and Taylor Grover) were throwing 102 mph and couldn’t get noticed by MLB teams. I mean, if you throw 102 and can’t get noticed, what about the high school kid who throws 88 mph and may have a ton of upside with little money to go to showcases?," Friedman asked. "I don’t think baseball should be just a rich kid sport. I think that hurts the future of baseball and is fundamentally unfair."
As for more info on Chris Nunn, below are links to various stories about him.
- Per Russell Vannozzi at Lumination Network -- "The long way around: MLB dream still within reach for Chris Nunn."
Apparently, he had signed with the Rangers earlier this year and attended their spring training, but got released in late-March. Oh... And one other thing... He was once a male model.
- From 2014 - Tyler Zickel at MiLB.com -- "One-on-One: Chris Nunn."
- Via Jonah Javad at WFAA -- "Rangers pitcher, viral sensation Chris Nunn inspired by mother's fight - From unemployed to the Rangers minor league system, Chris Nunn's journey has been riddled with lows -- and a high of 99 mph."
- Via David Hill at Call to the Pen -- "Texas Rangers: The incredible story of Chris Nunn."
- Per Jeremy Layton at the New York Post -- "How a viral video helped Chris Nunn get a shot at the MLB."
* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *
* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *
* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *
No comments:
Post a Comment