Afternoon Razzballeroos! Welcome to your brief weekly interlude into the world of stolen base prospecting. It is not as profitable as prospecting for gold, new business opportunities, or a third wife, but hey, it doesn’t cost as much as finding that third wife either!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Unfortunately, Knoche submitted this piece early Monday, right after the news that Nasim Nunez was sent packing to AAA. I will leave his intro here for if and when Nasim is called back up, because the bottom line is, like Chandler Simpson, he’s a name to know if you’re needy for stolen bases. Also, like Chandler Simpson, he’s much more valuable for our game than for winning real life baseball games. Jacob Young was activated off the IL a few days prior, and perhaps the Nats thought one no-power, all-speed player was enough. Check in on Young if you’re looking for extra steals.
This week, we take a quick look at Nasim Nunez. The speedy Nationals infielder is certainly one of the most one-dimensional characters I have profiled up to this point, but he can run. Here’s the plus side on Nunez. He has a 29.8 Ft/sec sprint speed, which is good for a tie for 8th in MLB with recently sent down Chandler Simpson. He stole 70 bases in the minors in 2022 and 52 in 2023. Last year was kind of a wash-out with some injuries. This year, between AAA and the Nationals, he has stolen 13 bases in only 80 plate appearances.
Nunez has been getting most of the starts against left-handed pitching on the short side of a platoon with Luis Garcia Jr. and then pinch running. His strength at the plate is his walk rate, which has been above 15% at every stop along the way. That’s about all that’s good to say about his hitting, however. .251 was his highest BA in the minors, and in a small sample size this season, he is hitting .188. It should come up from there as a guy as fast as he is, won’t sport a .242 BABIP forever, no matter how soft his contact rates are.
Finally, the name Nasim originates from Arabic, Persian, and other Middle Eastern languages, most commonly meaning “breeze” or “gentle wind”. It can also be interpreted as representing a breath of fresh air or the soothing essence of a gentle breeze. Seems to go well with our theme today.
I’d look to stream Nasim Nunez when the Nationals play lefties, as the stolen bases are there and the BA should improve.
Here’s the current Stolen Base Leader Board through Sunday, June 8th
The Speed Dials
We went 1 for 4 this week, now 6 for 24 on the season. Remember, these are specific stolen base streaming targets for specific days where the player is owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues. All stats represent both the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined.
Blue Jays vs Cardinals – Tuesday, June 10th
Andres Gimenez – His ownership has dipped down to 43.5% following his IL trip, which means he could be out there for you to target. He is stealing bases at an 86.7% success rate and has 39 to his credit across the last two seasons. He doesn’t have elite speed, but is above league average at 28.3 Ft/Sec. He will face Andre Miles Mikolas and his minimal .060 SB/IP allowed and 82.4% success rate against. The Cardinals are playing catcher by committee this season, but Pedro Pages is getting most of the action behind the dish. He has actually been decent cutting down runners at 28%. It’s not an optimal match-up, but I like it.
Rays vs Red Sox – Wednesday, June 11th
Jose Caballero – I’ll ask again, how this guy isn’t rostered in daily leagues and benched on his days not in the lineup, I don’t understand. Fun fact, he is only the 7th fastest Ray on the roster, even though he has 65 steals since the start of 2024. Even with that, he only rostered in 13.9% of ESPN leagues! Fun fact, this is the exact same thing I wrote last week, except he stole two more bases. He’ll face Walker Buehler and the Red Sox. Buehler allows .153 SB/IP and has a 90.5% success rate against. Carlos Narvaez is drawing most starts at catcher for the Red Sox, and is inside the top ten of the throwing leaderboard, cutting down 23% of would be base stealers. That doesn’t matter with a guy who holds runners on as poorly as Buehler.
Nothing – Thursday, June 12th – Can’t find anything I like here. Rough day for base stealers.
Nationals vs Marlins – Friday, June 13th
Jacob Young – This was originally Nasim Nunez’s spot, but given his demotion and the activation of Jacob Young, we can pivot to the other light-hitting base thief on the Nat’s roster. It is possible he isn’t in the lineup, but Cabrera is so bad at stopping the run game 83.3% success and .240 SB/IP, it would make sense to give him a shot. Liam Hicks and Nick Fortes for the Marlins both struggle shutting down runners as well.
That’s all, folks. Any other questions, hit me up here on or on Twitter @TheGreatKnoche
KITT YERG, Fantasy Attorney
Rising in Recognition of The Great Knoche, Friend of the Court and Whisperer of Speed Demons:
Your Honor,
Before we proceed with today’s testimony, I must pause — not for objection, but for admiration. I rise to give formal praise to a man of rare talent. A man who did not need Statcast. Did not need Baseball Savant. Did not even need hits.
He needed only wisdom.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I speak of The Great Knoche — a scholar, a prophet, a man who looked upon Jose Caballero and saw not a batting average, but a birthright.
Others scoffed at the slash line. Knoche? He heard music in the stolen base column.
He read the meaning of the name — Caballero: The Gentleman. The Thief. The Artist.
He knew: Why swing when you can glide?
Because in our game, hits are currency, but speed is gold.
And Knoche? He’s been operating the fantasy Federal Reserve.
So I say this, with all due reverence:
“Who needs hits when you’re blessed with blinding speed, and the name of a legend?”
The court thanks you, Great Knoche.
The defense tips its cap and moonwalks… again. ????
Ha! Well written sir!
Hard to stream Hasim (it rhymes!) when he got sent to Triple-A two days ago. Ouch. lol
Caballero steals as many bases when he’s not in the starting lineup too. Three in the last two days off the bench.
Yup. He should be on a roster everywhere in 12 team and bigger.
Thanks to Truss for the quick edits here! Nunez and Simpson for stolen base champs of September 2025.