With the season still nearly a month away, Scotland Campus Sports’ Arturo Nunez has already garnered his first scholarship offer from Frederick Community College in nearby Maryland. The Class of 2019 shortstop, known for the fiery and emotional and gung-ho style with which he routinely plays, registered a major impact on Frederick head coach Rodney Bennett this past weekend.
During a campus visit which included four other prospects, Bennett sought out Nunez following a presentation about a Frederick program which has earned three NJCAA Division II World Series berths in the last 12 years.
“Coach Bennet basically pulled Arturo aside and said that he would love for him to be apart of his program,” said Scotland Campus head coach Todd Weldon, who has seized the reins of a Knights team rife with international flavor in the program’s inaugural 2019 season.
“Coach had zero hesitation in letting it be known the passion and energy that Arturo plays the game with, along with his high level of athleticism. He said that he’s a lot of fun to watch, and told Arturo to never lose that edge that he plays with.”
Nunez arrived from Santo Domingo in August, quickly acclimatizing to the demands of the American education system and enhancing his feel for the English language. With Weldon adamant about Nunez quickly materializing into the face of the program, the unique prospect has been a staple throughout the buy-in process. His work ethic and knack for leading by example throughout taxing winter workouts have been particularly notable.
Arm strength, speed and consistency are the areas in which Nunez has shown the most progress. His bat is most effective at the top or the middle of the lineup.
Nunez, who has lofty aspirations to eventually become an MLB draft pick, said he’s going to weigh his options after the season. With his lateral movement and the general poise he exemplifies, Nunez has a noticeable comfort level about himself in the middle infield.
Weldon envisions Nunez as the type of multi-tool talent who possesses considerable projectability.
“Any junior college program or four year program will receive a phenomenal athlete if they have the opportunity to get Arturo,” explained Weldon, who coached Nunez’ older brother, Bryan Nunez, while at Wayland Baptist University (TX).
“He will be a leader in the classroom and on the baseball field.”
Nunez said the appeal of playing for a coach like Bennett is the emphasis he places on winning. Bennett holds a career record of 608-248 and scored his 500th career win back in 2016.
Impressed with the facility and the campus, Nunez said he would consider the program along with any other offers that come his way. His current focus, however, is on becoming a centerpiece of the program’s first-ever season and leaving a significant selling point for future teams to follow.
“This year is an important year for the next class coming in,” he said.
“We’re going to play almost all of the games on the road because it is our first year. We have to play good so that we can be at a higher level for the years to come and let the program keep growing for the next few years.”
Beyond Nunez, the interest has suddenly ratcheted up for athletic Leroy Evangelista, Class of 2019 product. Known as a two-way player with upside, Evangelista recently earned interest from Cincinnati Christian University, which has discussed a scholarship offer.
The Queens, N.Y. native, Evangelista established a curveball and a changeup as two feature pitches in his arsenal. Beyond showing an ability to fill the zone up consistently, Evangelista has displayed an impressive glove and lateral speed.
