Vladimir Nunez


‧ Position: Pitcher.

‧ Height: 6-foot-4.

‧ Weight: 240 pounds.

‧ Bats: Right.

‧ Throws: Right.

‧ Age: 24.

‧ Acquired: Signed as a minor league free agent Jan. 13, 2004, after
             spending four-plus years in Florida organization.

‧ Status: Has a serious shot at one of the three open spots in the bullpen.

‧ Career highlights: Led Florida Marlins with 20 saves in 2002 but lost
                      closer's job after 14 appearances in 2003 and was
                      sent to minors . . . Arizona's Minor League Pitcher
                      of the Year in 1996 when he went 10-0 with a 2.22
                      earned- run average in 14 appearances at rookie-level
                      Lethbridge in his pro debut . . . Opened 2000 season
                      as Florida's No. 3 starter but has made only three
                      big-league starts in 143 appearances past three years.

‧ Personal: Defected from the Cuban National B Team in October 1995 and
             signed with Arizona Diamondbacks the following February...
             Has become a spokesman for Florida's adult literacy campaign,
             which targets people who speak English as a second language...
             He and his wife, Wendy, have one son and two daughters.

‧ Who had the biggest impact on your career?
             "I have become very good friends with Pedro Astacio. When I got
              out of Cuba, he was one of the first players I met in the
              Dominican Republic. He talked to me about what I have to do to
              try and get to the big leagues. We still have conversations
              about how to stay at the big-league level. He has become my
              best friend."