Isaac Nunez

Isaac Nunez grew up in the vibrant and tough streets of the Lower East Side of New York City. Born in 2000, Isaac was surrounded by the energy of the city, but it was his family that truly shaped his childhood. Baseball wasn’t just a sport in his family—it was a way of life. His grandfather, Alejandro Nunez, was passionate about the game, passing that love down to his five sons and eventually to Isaac.

From an early age, Isaac was immersed in baseball, with his father being his greatest inspiration and lifelong coach. His father, who also played professional baseball, instilled in him the discipline, skill, and love for the game that would fuel Isaac’s own journey. Some of Isaac’s earliest and most cherished memories revolve around daily training sessions with his father at FDR Drive in New York City. Their bond was built not only through baseball but also through their shared dream of achieving greatness in the sport.

As a child, Isaac played Little League at Kingsbridge Little League in the Bronx, not far from his grandfather’s home. Whether it was on the field or traveling across the states for tournaments, Isaac spent much of his childhood with his father by his side, learning the game and developing the work ethic that would later define his success. Baseball was more than just a pastime—it was the foundation of his childhood, shaping him into the athlete and coach he is today.

Isaac Nunez’s high school baseball journey was marked by bold moves, relentless determination, and standout performances that would propel him into the national spotlight. His decision to attend Trinity-Pawling School in New York as a freshman in 2015 showed his commitment to seeking greater competition and opportunities. Leaving his family and the inner-city environment of New York, Isaac pursued his dream of playing professional baseball by heading to a boarding school upstate.

It didn’t take long for Isaac to make a name for himself. He immediately secured the varsity shortstop position on day one, hitting .515 in the fall season and showcasing exceptional defensive skills. Isaac’s talent was undeniable, and it quickly caught the attention of scouts. One pivotal moment occurred when he attended a St. John’s University baseball camp at age 14. Filling in for an older shortstop who couldn’t play, Isaac delivered an extraordinary performance, securing five hits in seven at-bats and excelling defensively. That day, St. John’s offered him a spot on their roster, and he committed to the program as a freshman. After a successful freshman year, which included hitting .375 across 30 games and leading his team in hits, stolen bases, RBIs, extra-base hits, and putouts, Isaac decided that he needed even stronger competition to pursue his professional baseball goals. With his father by his side, they made the decision to move south, where the level of play was higher and the opportunities greater.

In the summer of 2016, Isaac played for Team Elite in Georgia, where he competed against some of the best talent across multiple states, including New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. His performance was stellar, and by the end of the summer, Isaac received additional scholarship offers from Auburn University and the University of Miami. That fall, Isaac enrolled at Lake Brantley High School in Florida, a powerhouse for high school baseball. Once again, Isaac’s talent spoke for itself, and he locked down the starting shortstop position from day one. He hit .495 across 12 fall games and earned the attention of the University of Florida (UF) recruiting coordinator after a standout doubleheader performance. After being invited for a visit, Isaac de-committed from St. John’s and committed to play for UF.

Isaac’s sophomore season (2017) was challenging due to a dislocated thumb injury in the first game, but he played through the pain, contributing to his team’s 22–8 record. His resilience earned him Orlando Sentinel First Team All-American, All-Conference, and All-Regional All-Star Team honors.

By the time Isaac reached his junior year (2018), his performance had reached new heights. He hit .600 in the fall and .395 in the spring, leading his team in hits, home runs (6), stolen bases, and RBIs. Isaac earned multiple accolades, including Offensive MVP, Team MVP, First Team All-Conference, and All-American honors. His team also won the district championship with a 17–9 record.

During his senior year (2019), Isaac continued his dominance, hitting .425 and leading in every statistical category. He repeated his junior-year honors and helped his team achieve a 21–8 record. Isaac’s performance made him a projected top-five-round pick in the MLB Draft. However, after careful consideration, he chose to honor his commitment to the University of Florida, turning down the draft and setting his sights on collegiate competition.

Isaac’s high school journey was filled with remarkable achievements, resilience through injury, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, setting the stage for his successful college and summer baseball careers.

During the spring at the University of Florida, Isaac made the most of limited opportunities, recording six at-bats and delivering a memorable walk-off hit against Jacksonville University while providing consistent, high-level defense. As a freshman in a nationally ranked program with high expectations, his momentum was abruptly halted when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down college sports nationwide.

In July, Isaac received a phone call from the UF assistant head coach informing him that, due to returning seniors and incoming recruits, his role moving forward would be limited, with the possibility of a redshirt season. With the shortened season reducing opportunities to gain exposure and clarity on his future role, Isaac made a decisive choice: he refused to wait or stall his development.

That summer, he joined the prestigious Florida Collegiate League, competing against elite talent from programs such as Florida, Florida State, Miami, and other top schools. Isaac quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier players, using the opportunity to showcase his abilities, regain momentum, and reopen doors at the collegiate level.

Following that summer, Isaac earned a scholarship to the University of South Florida, where he quickly secured a starting role during the fall and continued to perform at a high level on both sides of the ball. Just two weeks before Opening Day, however, his momentum was abruptly stopped by a technical NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) issue. Despite the matter later being resolved, the timing of the ruling resulted in Isaac being sidelined for the entire spring season.

Rather than allowing the setback to define him, Isaac doubled down on his development—training, preparing, and positioning himself for the next opportunity.

That summer, Isaac was invited to compete in the MLB Draft League, facing elite draft prospects and once again placing himself on professional scouts’ radar. Feedback from evaluators was consistent: increased high-level college at-bats were essential to further elevate his draft stock. After reflecting on how the NIL situation was handled and prioritizing long-term development, Isaac made the strategic decision to transfer to Southeastern University—where he would spend the next three seasons cementing his legacy.

After the 2024 season, Isaac once again was not selected in the MLB Draft and did not receive a professional free-agent offer. He was faced with a life-changing decision: return home, fully commit to building Training With Nunez and pursue coaching, or continue chasing his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball through independent ball.

Isaac chose not to give up on the dream.

Determined to find an opportunity, Isaac began reaching out to coaches, mentors, and organizations across professional baseball, asking for guidance and help. He contacted teams directly and continued putting himself in front of the right people. That persistence paid off when he received a phone call from T.J. Stanton, manager of the New York Boulders of the Frontier League, offering him an invitation to spring training. While the opportunity did not guarantee a roster spot, Isaac embraced it fully, gaining valuable exposure and learning the demands and pace of professional baseball. Ultimately, with the Boulders already carrying an experienced former affiliated shortstop, there was no immediate opportunity for Isaac, and he was released after one week of spring training.

Isaac returned to New York City and spent three days at the house where he grew up—without calls, offers, or clarity on what was next. On the fourth day, everything changed.

Isaac received a phone call from Lew Ford, manager of the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, the highest level of independent professional baseball. Lew told Isaac he needed someone to temporarily fill a roster spot and promised that if Isaac showed up and competed, opportunities would follow. On Mother’s Day, Isaac suited up in Long Island, experiencing firsthand what elite professional baseball looked like. After one game, Isaac was released—but true to his word, Lew Ford immediately began making calls on his behalf.

The following day, Isaac signed with the Grand Junction Jackalopes of the Pioneer League, where his professional career truly took off.

In the 2025 season, Isaac appeared in 90 games, starting every game at shortstop, and fully capitalized on his opportunity. He finished the season with 112 hits, 17 home runs, 14 doubles, 70 RBIs, 29 stolen bases, a .344 batting average, and a 1.006 OPS. Throughout the year, Isaac established himself as a complete player—impacting games offensively, defensively, and on the basepaths. His consistency, durability, and leadership at a premium position proved he belonged at the professional level and could handle the grind of a full professional season.

After returning from the Pioneer season, Isaac received a call from Paul Fletcher, manager of the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League. Shortly after, Isaac officially signed with the Legends for the 2026 season, earning the opportunity to compete once again at the highest level of independent professional baseball.

Following the season, Isaac received a phone call from Baseball United, inviting him to play winter ball in Dubai for the Karachi Monarchs during their first-ever full season. Isaac started at shortstop in all nine games, providing elite defense while also finishing as one of the top hitters on his team. Competing internationally added another layer of experience to his professional résumé and continued his upward momentum.

Isaac’s professional journey has been anything but linear. It has required patience, humility, persistence, and unwavering belief. From unanswered phone calls to last-minute opportunities, from being released to being re-signed, Isaac has learned to control what he can—his preparation, his work ethic, and his response to adversity. Those experiences now shape not only the player he is, but the coach, mentor, and leader he continues to become—carrying the same lessons into Training With Nunez and into every athlete he works with.

The dream never changed. The path simply did.