Ricardo Pinto (baseball) explained

Ricardo Pinto
Team:Free agent
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:20 January 1994
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 31
Debutyear:2017
Debutteam:Philadelphia Phillies
Debut2league:KBO
Debut2date:May 6
Debut2year:2020
Debut2team:SK Wyverns
Debut3league:CPBL
Debut3date:September 14
Debut3year:2022
Debut3team:Rakuten Monkeys
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:April 20, 2024
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:1–2
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:9.07
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:32
Stat4label:Saves
Stat4value:1
Stat2league:KBO
Stat2year:2020 season
Stat21label:Win–loss record
Stat21value:6–15
Stat22label:Earned run average
Stat22value:6.17
Stat23label:Strikeouts
Stat23value:112
Stat3league:CPBL
Stat3year:2022 season
Stat31label:Win–loss record
Stat31value:1–2
Stat32label:Earned run average
Stat32value:6.06
Stat33label:Strikeouts
Stat33value:9
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 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 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 innings pitched. He was released by the Phillies organization on August 12.[23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Carlos Tocci, Ricardo Pinto promoted to Clearwater among bevy of BlueClaws moves. November 19, 2016.
  2. Web site: Please wait while you are redirected. November 19, 2016.
  3. Web site: Andrew Knapp, Ricardo Pinto two of Phillies' brightest minor league stars. Stephen. Gross. November 19, 2016.
  4. Web site: Phillies call up prospect Ricardo Pinto. Major League Baseball. en-US. May 31, 2017.
  5. Web site: Phillies Designate Ricardo Pinto. Byrne. Connor. mlbtraderumors.com. March 25, 2018. March 25, 2018.
  6. Web site: White Sox Acquire Ricardo Pinto. Todd. Jeff. mlbtraderumors.com. March 28, 2018. March 28, 2018.
  7. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2018. Baseball America. Matt. Eddy. November 6, 2018. November 8, 2018.
  8. Web site: Giants announce another reliever is out for the season, team claims pitcher from Rays. The Mercury News. Kerry Crowley. September 6, 2019. September 9, 2019.
  9. Web site: Giants hit the waiver wire, acquire three players, subtract two from 40-man roster. Kerry Crowley. The Mercury News. November 5, 2019. November 5, 2019.
  10. Web site: Tigers Sign Ben Taylor To Minor League Deal. February 20, 2021. MLB Trade Rumors.
  11. Web site: 2021-22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams.
  12. Web site: Ricardo Pinto Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News. MiLB.com.
  13. Web site: Rakuten Monkeys Sign Ricardo Pinto. CPBLStats.com. July 28, 2022. September 17, 2022.
  14. Web site: Tecolotes: El abridor Ricardo Pinto se une al vuelo .
  15. Web site: DIABLOS ANUNCIA LA INCORPORACIÓN DE PAR DE LANZADORES COMO REFUERZOS. diablos.com.mx. Spanish. June 21, 2023.
  16. Web site: Diablos Rojos: Ricardo Pinto regresa con los escarlatas en la temporada 2024. January 14, 2024. milb.com. en.
  17. Web site: Phillies Sign Ricardo Pinto To Minor League Deal. February 18, 2024. MLB Trade Rumors.
  18. Web site: Phillies Designate Connor Brogdon, Select Ricardo Pinto. April 2, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  19. Web site: MLB Gameday: Reds 4, Phillies 9 Final Score (04/02/2024) . 2024-04-03 . MLB.com . en.
  20. Web site: Phillies Designate Ricardo Pinto For Assignment. April 28, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  21. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-05-02
  22. Web site: Transactions . 2024-05-19 . MiLB.com . en.
  23. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-08-12