This was several weeks ago, following an in-practice performance which the well-built 5-foot-11 Class of 2019 shortstop wasn't particularly thrilled about.
What would appear to be a simple gesture morphed into a telling a moment, emblematic of the leadership and sacrifice invested in a secluded prep environment.
"He felt that didn't perform very well in the last 60 that he ran, so he came up to me after his hitting practice and said, 'I've got something for you,'" recalled Weldon, who previously coached at Wayland Baptist University, the school at which the former flame thrower cemented his legacy with single-season records in wins (11) and strikeouts (120).
"He gave me his cell phone, just handed it over. He said, 'I feel like this is a distraction that is keeping me from doing what I came here to do. I want you to keep it, until further notice.' I thought that showed a level of maturity and a level of how much he wants it. To be able to hand over something that unfortunately, in this generation of student-athletes, is a pretty big distraction."
Nunez can't afford to be distracted.
Not after a whirlwind month that began with a 7 1/2 hour flight from Santo Domingo to the United States.
...
Not after the 18-year-old received a crash course in college level English and quickly applied this new grasp of the language to various courses.
Not while while devoting himself to an arduous and demanding around the clock workout schedule.
And so Snapchat and Twitter and Instagram are essentially forced to play a diminished role during Nunez' time here in Scotland, Pa., where the prep institution has now launched a blossoming baseball culture with several intriguing prospects.
No distractions. Just results.
Both player and coach are cognizant of this.
...
Not after the 18-year-old received a crash course in college level English and quickly applied this new grasp of the language to various courses.
Not while while devoting himself to an arduous and demanding around the clock workout schedule.
And so Snapchat and Twitter and Instagram are essentially forced to play a diminished role during Nunez' time here in Scotland, Pa., where the prep institution has now launched a blossoming baseball culture with several intriguing prospects.
No distractions. Just results.
Both player and coach are cognizant of this.
An emergent prospect with the reputation of speed and arm strength and consistency, Nunez says he takes most pride in his defense.
The stoic and unrivaled team leader recalls the memorable ovation he received when he parked a two-run homer into the seats past center field at a showcase event in Fort Meyers, Fla. a few years back.
His aspirations, however, are to hit the ball with consistency and to deliver with runners in scoring position while sustaining a sound defensive skill set.
His aspirations, however, are to hit the ball with consistency and to deliver with runners in scoring position while sustaining a sound defensive skill set.
"Conditioning is very important to me," said Nunez, whose pro potential gives the program rife with raw international flavor an empowering locker room presence.
"Growing up in Santo Domingo, I watched guys like Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Manny Machado online. I read all about them, all about the training and how regimented they are. I watched instructional videos and learned just how hard you have to work to have success here. To be honest, yes, I would like to get drafted this year. That has been my goal. I think that's every kid's goal. I realize it is going to take a workload and right now I have the chance to better myself, day to day. Being here at Scotland, we have the chance to be very special this year."
Nunez' blurrish quickness have the potential to augment his draft stock in this lone prep season.
"I've heard from a few different people that the best 60 he ran is 6.1," said Weldon, who spent time in the New York Mets organization and garnered a berth in the New York-Penn League All-Star game while throwing a scalding 97 MPH fastball as a rookie.
"Now I know (6.1) is flying. I think the consistency with that is a big thing. He knows the base paths well. He runs bases really well. From what I've seen, how he really moves, he's probably a consistent 6.4 or 6.5 runner. I do think the potential to be a 6.1 or a 6.2 is consistently in there. I think he will match up really well against the competition."
Weldon has made a high-order commitment to skill development a livelihood for student-athletes from seven countries this fall. By orchestrating team activities, he's gotten to know each and every player in the program.
The 31-year-old coach's ties to Nunez, however, go beyond that.
The 31-year-old coach's ties to Nunez, however, go beyond that.
"He coached my brother (at Wesleyan Baptist)," said Nunez, cracking a brief half-smile.
It was Nunez' older brother, Brian Nunez, who ingrained this insatiable desire to win in him, cultivating a skill-set in the promising shortstop since he was 12.
"He's basically kept me grounded, kept me working," Nunez recalls.
"If I have a bad game or I don't perform up to his standards, he will let me know about it. He's only four years older than me, but at times he's like a parent and a coach. It is pressure sometimes, but that's what you need in order to get better. When I was younger, he was always getting on me to get to the park and play and making sure I was investing the right amount of effort into the game and not getting complacent or anything like that. Without him, none of this is really possible."
"If I have a bad game or I don't perform up to his standards, he will let me know about it. He's only four years older than me, but at times he's like a parent and a coach. It is pressure sometimes, but that's what you need in order to get better. When I was younger, he was always getting on me to get to the park and play and making sure I was investing the right amount of effort into the game and not getting complacent or anything like that. Without him, none of this is really possible."
Without Chambersburg-based agent Brian McGinn, none of this upstart Scotland Campus Sports program is really possible. The former pro prospect turned scout turned agent, McGinn's list of clientele includes Shippensburg native Travis Ott (Tampa Bay Rays), Mount St. Mary's grad Brady Feigl (Atlanta Braves), and another local product in Josh Edgin (Washington Nationals).
While nagging injuries ultimately cut McGinn's playing career short, he was able to utilize a unique blend of know-how and scouting expertise to the player representation game.
While nagging injuries ultimately cut McGinn's playing career short, he was able to utilize a unique blend of know-how and scouting expertise to the player representation game.
McGinn has criss-crossed the world throughout his time as a certified MLBPA agent. The journey has opened up a valuable rolodex, enabling the program's Athletic Director to cast the net wide and high while building up the first-year program from scratch.
Student-athletes from Australia and Canada and Mexico have come to the sprawling, 40-acre Scotland Campus to refine components of their game while garnering collegiate exposure. Some are looking to better their academics, others are taking the additional year to develop and put scouting eyes on them.
Student-athletes from Australia and Canada and Mexico have come to the sprawling, 40-acre Scotland Campus to refine components of their game while garnering collegiate exposure. Some are looking to better their academics, others are taking the additional year to develop and put scouting eyes on them.
"The camaraderie and brotherhood established by this team has been great," said Weldon. "These guys have really progressed and bought into teamwork and been instrumental in helping each other adapt and improve."
SCS has lofty expectations for a burgeoning Division-I and professional prospect in center fielder Bernard Shivers, out of New Jersey.
"His defense is probably his best attribute," McGinn said. "He's got the ability to track down balls. He makes tough plays look easy. He's got a strong arm and speed. He clocks around a 6.5, 6.6 in the 60-yard dash."
Built like a manchild, Shivers is a multi-sport athlete who additionally starred as a running back in high school. The post graduate will invest more focus to the skill development aspects which he wasn't privy to before arriving at the doorstep in August. He's got the potential to ramp up his stock incrementally during this lone season under Weldon.
"He plays MLB defense," McGinn deadpanned. "He has a ton of upside at the plate, with significant bat speed."
SCS has lofty expectations for a burgeoning Division-I and professional prospect in center fielder Bernard Shivers, out of New Jersey.
"His defense is probably his best attribute," McGinn said. "He's got the ability to track down balls. He makes tough plays look easy. He's got a strong arm and speed. He clocks around a 6.5, 6.6 in the 60-yard dash."
Built like a manchild, Shivers is a multi-sport athlete who additionally starred as a running back in high school. The post graduate will invest more focus to the skill development aspects which he wasn't privy to before arriving at the doorstep in August. He's got the potential to ramp up his stock incrementally during this lone season under Weldon.
"He plays MLB defense," McGinn deadpanned. "He has a ton of upside at the plate, with significant bat speed."