Batting Title Winner: Mickey Nunez Hits .400 for the Los Angeles Bullies

Despite the Los Angeles Bullies playing every game on the road in 2025, Mickey Nunez made himself right at home at the plate — earning the Empire League Batting Title after posting an astonishing .400 batting average over the season.

Meeting the league’s minimum threshold with 100 plate appearances, Nunez displayed elite bat-to-ball skills, consistency, and patience all year long. He became a nightmare for opposing pitchers, rarely missing and often finding the gaps with precision.

2025 Season Highlights:

• Batting Average: .400
• Plate Appearances: 153
• Hits: 44
• RBIs: 18
• Runs Scored: 33
• Strikeouts: Only 12 times

Nunez’s approach at the plate was pure professionalism — disciplined, confident, and relentless. Even as the Bullies traveled from city to city without a home stadium, he remained locked in, giving LA a spark in every game.

His .400 average not only led the Empire League but also placed him in rare territory, marking one of the highest single-season averages in recent league history.

Mickey Nunez proved that even under the toughest circumstances, greatness finds a way to shine.

June 19, 2025 – Tupper Lake, NY
The Los Angeles Bullies made a thunderous Empire League debut Thursday night, routing the defending champion Tupper Lake Riverpigs 10-1 behind a dominant performance on both sides of the ball.

Carlos Drain led the charge offensively for L.A., crushing a home run and driving in two RBIs in a game that was never in doubt. Roman Robles chipped in with two hits, scored twice, and helped fuel a Bullies lineup that piled up timely hits and capitalized on Riverpigs miscues.

On the mound, Gavin Rosales was nearly untouchable in his season debut. The Bullies starter worked four shutout innings, striking out eight batters without issuing a walk. His electric fastball and sharp breaking ball had the Riverpigs flailing all night.

For the Riverpigs, rookie Michael Torniero was a bright spot, going 2-for-3 in his professional debut. But outside of his performance, Tupper Lake’s offense was quiet. Their only run came on a solo home run from Gabe Reboso, his first of the season, in the bottom of the seventh.

The defending champs were out-hit, out-pitched, and out-hustled as they struggled to find their rhythm against the newest team in the league.

The Bullies will look to keep the momentum rolling as they travel to Malone on Friday, June 20, to face the Malone Border Hounds at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the Riverpigs will regroup and aim to bounce back in their next outing.

The Empire League is expanding its footprint beyond the East Coast with the introduction of the Los Angeles Bullies, a new franchise set to bring West Coast energy to the competitive independent baseball scene. While the Bullies will represent Los Angeles, they will embark on an unconventional journey as a road team, competing primarily in the East against the league’s established franchises.

Leading the charge as head coach is none other than Joey Molina, a seasoned baseball mind with experience in coaching and scouting for the Mexican Baseball League (LMB). Molina, known for his sharp eye for talent and strategic prowess, has also played a key role in the Zone 22 Games, an elite platform for emerging baseball prospects. His leadership will be crucial in establishing the Bullies as a formidable contender from day one.

Despite their unique status as a road team, the Bullies aim to build a strong identity that reflects the grit and toughness associated with Los Angeles baseball culture. They will bring West Coast flair to the Empire League, showcasing a roster filled with raw talent looking to prove themselves at the professional level. Players will have the opportunity to compete under the guidance of a respected coach with a track record of developing future stars.

The addition of the Bullies marks a strategic step for the Empire League, broadening its reach and creating new rivalries between teams from opposite coasts. While the team’s home games will take place away from Los Angeles for now, their presence is expected to pave the way for future expansion into the Western market.

Fans on both coasts will be eager to see how this ambitious squad fares in its inaugural season. With Molina at the helm, the Los Angeles Bullies are ready to take on the challenge and leave their mark on the Empire League.