Josmil Pinto
| AB | 250 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .252 |
| OBP | .336 |
| SLG | .436 |
| HR | 11 |
- Full name Josmil Oswaldo Pinto
- Born 03/31/1989 in Valencia, Venezuela
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School U.E. Franciscana Kumbaya
- Debut 09/01/2013
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Talk about your late-blooming revelations. Pinto, who signed six weeks before his 17th birthday, spent seven seasons in the Twins system before being added to the 40-man roster for the first time after the 2012 season. His bat had long been considered his best tool, but Pinto's offense really took off in 2013, a season in which he rocketed from Double-A New Britain to his first September callup. Getting the bulk of late-season playing time while Joe Mauer recovered from a concussion, Pinto showed the ability to hit for power and average to all fields. His footwork, receiving and game-calling still need improvement, but he showed the willingness to accept daily coaching from former all-star catcher Terry Steinbach, now the Twins' bench coach. Pinto throws well enough, gunning down 26 percent of basestealers in the minors in 2013, but shoulder fatigue limited him to DH duties for two weeks at midseason in Double-A. Considering his age and modest pedigree, Pinto is probably close to his ceiling, but his attitude and hustling style greatly impressed big league manager Ron Gardenhire. Mauer's move to first base opens the catcher spot for Pinto, who was sidelined again in November by shoulder soreness during winter ball in Venezuela. If he's healthy, he's in line to share time behind the plate in Minnesota.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Pinto reached Double-A in his seventh pro season and began this year as a New Britain repeater, but the late-blooming catcher rocketed from the EL all the way to Minnesota in 2013. He parlayed tremendous plate discipline and an ability to hit both strikes and mistakes into the best season of his career. Evaluators aren?t fond of Pinto?s ability to block pitches and suggest his game-calling chops need sharpening, but he has a plus arm, which he isn?t afraid to show off. He threw out 26 percent of basestealers. Pinto?s offensive potential mitigates his modest defense. He has a stocky body and a big swing capable of producing average power. His emergence comes as Twins incumbent Joe Mauer battles concussion issues and could see more time at first base.
