Ricardo Pinto (baseball)

Ricardo Pinto
Pinto with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2021
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1994-01-20) January 20, 1994 (age 30)
Guacara, Carabobo, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: May 31, 2017, for the Philadelphia Phillies
KBO: May 6, 2020, for the SK Wyverns
CPBL: September 14, 2022, for the Rakuten Monkeys
MLB statistics
(through April 20, 2024)
Win–loss record1–2
Earned run average9.07
Strikeouts32
Saves1
KBO statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record6–15
Earned run average6.17
Strikeouts112
CPBL statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record1–2
Earned run average6.06
Strikeouts9
Teams

Ricardo Antonio Pinto Valera (born January 20, 1994) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays, in the KBO League for the SK Wyverns, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Rakuten Monkeys.

Career

Philadelphia Phillies

Pinto signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an international free agent in December 2011. He made his professional debut with the Venezuelan Summer League Phillies in 2012 and also played with them in 2013. In 2014, he played for the Williamsport Crosscutters. Pinto spent 2015 with the Lakewood BlueClaws and Clearwater Threshers.[1] He won the Paul Owens Award as the Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 15–4 with a 2.97 earned run average (ERA) and 105 strikeouts.[2][3] The Phillies added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.

Pinto started the 2017 season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and was called up to Phillies on May 31, making his MLB debut the same day. In his debut against the Miami Marlins, Pinto pitched two innings in relief, allowing four runs on six hits along with three walks and a home run, and struck out two.[4] On March 25, 2018, the Phillies designated Pinto for assignment.[5]

Chicago White Sox

On March 28, 2018, Pinto was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for international signing bonus pool money.[6] He was designated for assignment on May 28. Pinto cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple–A Charlotte Knights on June 2. In 30 appearances split between Charlotte and the High–A Winston-Salem Dash, he accumulated a 5.95 ERA with 46 strikeouts across 65 innings of work. Pinto elected free agency following the season on November 2.[7]

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 28, 2019, Pinto signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. On August 30, the Rays selected Pinto's contract.

San Francisco Giants

On September 6, 2019, the San Francisco Giants claimed Pinto off waivers from the Rays.[8] Pinto was designated for assignment on November 5.[9]

SK Wyverns

Pinto was released by the Giants on November 12, so he could sign with the SK Wyverns of the KBO League. He became a free agent following the season. In one season of work in the KBO, Pinto pitched to a 6–15 record with a 6.17 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 162 innings of work.

Detroit Tigers

On February 20, 2021, Pinto signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.[10] Pinto split the year between the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, recording a cumulative 14–4 record and 4.29 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 123.2 innings of work between the two teams. He elected minor league free agency following the season on November 7.[11]

On March 13, 2022, Pinto re-signed with the Tigers organization on a new minor league deal.[12] He was released on July 3, 2022.

Rakuten Monkeys

On July 28, 2022, Pinto signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[13] Pinto appeared in 4 games (3 starts) for Rakuten, struggling to a 1–2 record and 6.06 ERA with 9 strikeouts in 16.1 innings pitched.

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

On February 8, 2023, Pinto signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.[14] In 10 starts, Pinto went 2–3 with a 5.44 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 49.2 innings. He was released on June 14, 2023.[12]

Diablos Rojos del México

On June 19, 2023, Pinto signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.[15] In 9 games (5 starts) for México, he posted a 3.34 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 32+13 innings of work.[16]

Philadelphia Phillies (second stint)

On February 18, 2024, Pinto signed a minor league contract to return to the Phillies.[17] On April 2, he had his contract selected to the active roster.[18] He made his return to the MLB that night, earning his first career save while pitching 4 innings in a win over the Cincinnati Reds.[19] In 6 appearances for Philadelphia, Pinto struggled to a 10.97 ERA with 8 strikeouts across 10+23 innings of work. He was designated for assignment on April 28 when Taijuan Walker returned from the injured list.[20] Pinto elected free agency after clearing waivers on May 2.[21] He was re-signed to a minor league contract on May 9.[22] In 16 games (6 starts) for the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Pinto posted a 4–1 record and 5.27 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 56+13 innings pitched. He was released by the Phillies organization on August 12.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Carlos Tocci, Ricardo Pinto promoted to Clearwater among bevy of BlueClaws moves". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  2. ^ "Please wait while you are redirected". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  3. ^ Gross, Stephen. "Andrew Knapp, Ricardo Pinto two of Phillies' brightest minor league stars". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  4. ^ "Phillies call up prospect Ricardo Pinto". Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  5. ^ Byrne, Connor (March 25, 2018). "Phillies Designate Ricardo Pinto". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  6. ^ Todd, Jeff (March 28, 2018). "White Sox Acquire Ricardo Pinto". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  7. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2018). "Minor League Free Agents 2018". Baseball America. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  8. ^ Kerry Crowley (September 6, 2019). "Giants announce another reliever is out for the season, team claims pitcher from Rays". The Mercury News. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  9. ^ Kerry Crowley (November 5, 2019). "Giants hit the waiver wire, acquire three players, subtract two from 40-man roster". The Mercury News. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  10. ^ "Tigers Sign Ben Taylor To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. February 20, 2021.
  11. ^ "2021-22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams". November 9, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Ricardo Pinto Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com.
  13. ^ "Rakuten Monkeys Sign Ricardo Pinto". CPBLStats.com. July 28, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  14. ^ "Tecolotes: El abridor Ricardo Pinto se une al vuelo".
  15. ^ "DIABLOS ANUNCIA LA INCORPORACIÓN DE PAR DE LANZADORES COMO REFUERZOS". diablos.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "Diablos Rojos: Ricardo Pinto regresa con los escarlatas en la temporada 2024". milb.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "Phillies Sign Ricardo Pinto To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. February 18, 2024.
  18. ^ "Phillies Designate Connor Brogdon, Select Ricardo Pinto". mlbtraderumors.com. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "MLB Gameday: Reds 4, Phillies 9 Final Score (04/02/2024)". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  20. ^ "Phillies Designate Ricardo Pinto For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  21. ^ "Transactions".
  22. ^ "Transactions". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  23. ^ "Transactions".