35 Reasons to Believe

The Phanatic Magazine kicked off its 35 straight days of Phillies on February 25, one article per day detailing each member battling for position as the season begins. Also, look for Michael Rushton's season outlook, which will cap the offseason look at the Phillies on Opening Day -- April 2nd against Atlanta.

DAY 20: Abraham Nunez

By Jared Trexler
The Phanatic Magazine

As the saying goes, you are what you are. Except of course, when you aren't.

Abraham Nunez perhaps pulled wool over the Phillies' eyes during his 2005 walk year in St. Louis, filling in admirably for Scott Rolen at the hot corner and batting a respectable .285 with five homers and 44 RBI.

But, that isn't Abraham Nunez, not when his career average sits at .243 over 10 big league campaigns. The real Abraham Nunez is likely closer to last year's version -- mediocre to bordering on poor at the plate and above average bordering on fantastic with the glove.

Nunez batted just .211 last season, though in fairness, that average was much lower during sparse at-bats earlier in the campaign. David Bell was eventually shipped to Milwaukee in the cultural-changing fire sale, and Nunez was handed the job.

At times he looked overmatched at the plate, but he fared much better than Bell in the field. Yet, the disturbingly low offensive numbers convinced General Manager Pat Gillick to go shopping for a right-handed hitting third baseman in the offseason.

Enter Wes Helms, a man The Phanatic Magazine will profile later in this running preview section.

Nunez is now part of a quasi platoon -- playing likely 20 to 30 percent full-time with frequent entries as a late game defensive replacement.

Two men baseballreference.com list as comparable players at Nunez's age -- the other Ripken (Billy) and the current Phillies assistant general manager (Ruben Amaro).

Now you can see why Gillick picked up Helms.

The diminutive Dominican born infielder will still see a lot of action in pinch-hitting and field duties, but his brief days as the everyday third baseman are over.

And the Phillies are better for it.

He doesn't hit for power -- 18 career homers -- or average, nor does he have the speed to turn singles into doubles. He's an average middle to corner infielder with above average range and little God given ability at the dish.

In essence, he is what he is.

And unlike the end of last season, the Phillies are prepared for it.

Tomorrow: Tom Gordon