Team All-Time Save Leader Turns Coach

[MikeB]

San Juan once again has reached out to a former Puerto Rican PEBA star to join its coaching ranks. It announced Jorge Núñez, who posted 170 of his career 222 saves for the organization, as pitching coach for its Port Royal rookie league team. The announcement was made on Groundhog Day, Núñez' 38th birthday.

Three years ago, the Coqui tabbed Alfredo Velázquez to manage Homer in the Alaskan League (SA). After two division titles, Velázquez was promoted closer to home to manage Santurce (AA) for the upcoming season.

Both Velázquez, 43, and Núñez hail from Bayamón Bay.

Núñez was signed in 2022 at age 26 out of the ABSF Mexican League where he had been a three-time all-star. The Coqui organization was still in Rio Grande then. After two seasons, Núñez got to pitch in his native country. He became the organization’s all-time save leader after leading the team in saves four of his five seasons. He still holds that mantel with a sizable lead over another Puerto Rican native Jose Gomez who has 126. Núñez also ranks third in innings pitched for the franchise.

He spent two more years with London before retiring after the 2029 season.

The lanky 6 foot 6 inch, 180-pounder was known as a finesse pitcher, mixing a fastball and curveball, his walk totals respectable at 2.4/9 for his career. Long balls were scarce against him, particularly after adjustments he made after his first three seasons. He allowed just one home run in 83 innings in 2025 after allowing a total of 19 the previous two years.

“He mainly just got people out,” says Coqui General Manager Mike Best. “He was smart and worked hard as a player and we expect he will push our prospects to be the same way.”