New York Yankees: Eduardo Nunez's Bat Can't Hide His Glove Forever

Why is it that every time the ball is hit to Eduardo Nunez of the New York Yankees, a bad feeling develops in the pit of my stomach?

That's because Nunez is currently one of the worst fielders in Major League Baseball and I don't think there is much debating that at this point.

His misplay of a ball against the Baltimore Orioles that cost the Yanks two runs on Tuesday night was just the latest gaffe in what has been a trend since Nunez got a good amount of playing time in 2011.

Surprisingly, that was his first in the outfield. But give him time, he's only been in the outfield for seven games during his career.

In the infield, Nunez committed 23 errors over the span of 132 games and it seems like almost all of them result in damaging runs to the Bombers' cause.

It's a hitch in Nunez's game that desperately needs to be fixed, if it's even possible. One has to wonder if the routine plays Nunez is booting are a result of poor fielding or maybe something deeper.

Whatever it is, it's beginning to spoil Nunez's bat which has been impressive in 2012. In a reserve role, Nunez is hitting .313 in 32 at-bats. That's good enough to give the 24-year-old a .271 career batting average.

There's no doubt manager Joe Girardi would love to get Nunez's bat and speed in the mix as much as possible, but he can't afford to do that if Nunez is unreliable in the field.

And there isn't much Girardi can do to hide Nunez's glove, as the Yankees need his bat in the lineup to rest their aging stars.

Granted, it's still very early in his career, but Nunez must improve his defense if he wants to be an everyday player in this league. Nunez isn't the type of player to put up gaudy offensive numbers worthy of a DH, so his defense must straighten itself out.

But at this point, I'd say Derek Jeter doesn't have anything to worry about. He is still very much light years ahead of his potential heir apparent.