Manny Pina Stats & Scouting Report

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Pina has put on about 15 pounds since signing as a 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop in 2004. The Rangers immediately converted him to catcher, and he progressed rapidly in their Dominican instructional league that fall. Pina has an excellent backstop's build and catch-and- throw skills to go with it. He's a good receiver with great hands, a very strong, accurate arm and a quick release. His pop times to second base have been clocked at 1.87 seconds. Pina has made significant progress in blocking balls in the dirt and at calling games. His makeup is outstanding, as he has learned to speak English and handles a pitching staff well. The question with Pina is whether his offense will catch up to his defense. His strong forearms and wrists generate decent bat speed and his stroke is compact, but he can't touch breaking balls and hasn't shown an ability to hit for power or average. Pina is young enough that his bat could still come around, and even if he never becomes more than a below-average hitter he still could be a big league backup catcher. He'll probably play at short-season Spokane in 2006.

Though Pina has been catching for less than a year, his defensive skills--notably his arm--already have been compared to a young Ivan Rodriguez, who developed in the Rangers system. A former shortstop, Pina combines fast feet and a quick release to generate outstanding arm strength and accuracy. His pop times to second were consistently in the 1.8-1.9-second range. His receiving and blocking skills also improved over the course of the season. Pina's bat is behind the rest of his game, and it will take another year or two to decide what kind of impact he might make as a hitter. But his defense alone could take him to the majors.

Oakland Athletics released C Manny Piña.
Oakland Athletics designated C Manny Piña for assignment.
Oakland Athletics sent C Manny Piña on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent C Manny Piña on a rehab assignment to Stockton Ports.
Oakland Athletics placed C Manny Piña on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 11, 2023. Left wrist contusion.
Oakland Athletics activated C Manny Piña from the 60-day injured list.
Oakland Athletics sent C Manny Piña on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics placed C Manny Piña on the 60-day injured list.
Oakland Athletics sent C Manny Piña on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent C Manny Piña on a rehab assignment to Las Vegas Aviators.
Oakland Athletics sent C Manny Piña on a rehab assignment to Stockton Ports.
Oakland Athletics placed C Manny Piña on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 27, 2023. Sprained left wrist.