When healthy, today’s prospect is one of the most interesting in the system.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Pre-Season Prospect Countdown, this time looking at the top 40 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publication’s scouting reports if available.
Let’s take a look at our 22nd-best Toronto Blue Jays prospect, Adrian Pinto!
Getting to know Adrian Pinto…
Position: Second base/Centre field
Bats: Right
Born: September 22nd, 2002
Acquired: Trade with the Rockies
Previous ranking: Not ranked (29th in 2024’s pre-season ranking)
The Colorado Rockies signed Adrian Pinto during the 2019 International Free Agency period, with the 5’6” second baseman/centre fielder making his professional debut in 2021. With the Rockies’ Dominican Summer League team, Pinto slashed .360/.486/.543 with three home runs in 224 plate appearances, finishing the season with a 17 BB% and an 8 K% for an 185 wRC+. He also used his speed, stealing 41 of 49 bases.
Before the start of the 2022 season, Pinto was traded alongside big league player Raimel Tapia for Randal Grichuk. Pinto only had 194 plate appearances with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, slashing .242/.375/.363 with two home runs. Pinto missed a large portion of the season due to injury.
The 2023 season was also filled with injuries, as he slashed .243/.404/.287 with no home runs in 149 plate appearances in 2023 between the Florida Complex League and Single-A. It was the same exact thing in 2024, as Pinto only made his season debut in mid-July.
What a 2024 season it was for Pinto though, as he slashed .330/.378/.573 with four home runs in 112 plate appearances between the Florida Complex League, Single-A, and High-A. The latter is where he shined, as he finished with 21 hits in 76 plate appearances, with eight doubles, a triple, and three home runs. Pinto also had a good showing in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .274/.392/.357 with a home run in 102 plate appearances.
The secret is out, Pinto isn’t very tall, listed at just 5’6”, 156 lb. His hit tool is his best attribute with the bat as he has a solid eye and can hit for contact, but don’t discredit his power because of his size. He can run into one every once in a while. Pinto’s hit tool is helped by his speed which also helps him defensively in centre field. His arm is strong enough to play second base as well.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.