It was a long road that took a significant turn in 2020, but right-handed pitcher Dedniel Núñez finally made his Major League Baseball debut on April 9, 2024.

The Mets signed Núñez out of Puerta Plata in the Dominican Republic in October 2016 when he was 20—definitely older for a pitcher to sign via the international signing period. With that in mind, the Mets had Núñez skip the Dominican Summer League and make his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League the next year. It was mostly a forgettable start to a career, with a 5.24 ERA and 51 hits allowed in 44 2/3 innings.

Núñez showed improvement the next year with the Rookie Level Kingsport Mets when he posted a 3.79 ERA and allowed 38 hits in 40 1/3 innings. Then, in 2019, Núñez made his full debut with the Columbia Fireflies of Low-A after filling out during the offseason. He made four appearances (three starts) with the Fireflies before getting promoted to the High-A St. Lucie Mets. Overall, he had a 4.39 ERA in a career-high 80 innings over 15 starts before an injury shortened his season. What really stood out, though, was the career-best strikeout numbers (10.6 K/9), career-best walk numbers (2.6 BB/9), and career-best at limiting hits (8.2 H/9).

Photo by Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports

The good 2019 season put Núñez in the prospect picture, with him ranking No. 20 on our list at MMO heading into the 2020 season. The Covid-pandemic washed away the 2020 minor league season, and the Mets were left to decide whether or not they should add Núñez to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Núñez, having not pitched above A-Ball yet in his career, was taken by the Giants in the major league phase of the draft.

Núñez was in big league camp with the Giants, fighting for an Opening Day roster spot, when he found out he would need Tommy John surgery, meaning his season was over and his status in limbo. He spent the entire season on the injured list, and then in November of 2021, the Giants decided to return Núñez to the Mets.

At this point, Núñez was returning to the Mets system, having not pitched in a regular season game in two years. Coming off TJS, the Mets decided to shift Núñez to a bullpen role, and then came an uptick in velocity. After a couple of outings in Low-A St. Lucie to begin the season, Núñez was moved up to Double-A for the first time. Binghamton was a mixed bag, with a 3.49 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings, but he also gave up 36 hits and walked 13 in that span.

Núñez started the 2023 season back in Binghamton, though he moved up quickly when Triple-A Syracuse needed fresh arms. After 14 games in Syracuse, Núñez was sent back to Double-A and then back to Syracuse to finish the season. Overall, he posted a 2.65 ERA in Binghamton and then 6.75 in Syracuse. But the strikeouts were still there with an 11.1 K/9 and the fastball was pretty consistently in the high 90s.

The right-hander pitched in two games this spring for the Mets, with mixed results (three runs/five Ks in 2.1 IP), but he continued to show off a high-velo and high-spin fastball and a slider with big break. He was sent to Triple-A Syracuse to start the 2024 season, and he tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

With the Mets in desperate need of a fresh arm, they selected the contract of the 27-year-old Núñez on Tuesday. And it was another crazy for the hard thrower, as he made his debut allowing one run –a couple of soft hits involved– and struck out three against a tough Braves lineup. His fastball was up to 98 mph, and he got two whiffs and five called strikes on his slider. Then, before the excitement of his debut could even wane, it was announced Núñez was being optioned to Triple-A.