Mets Call Up Jonathan Pintaro! From Undrafted to the Big Leagues!
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Mets Make a Pitching Change: Jonathan Pintaro Joins the Roster
In a surprising move, the New York Mets are set to add right-handed pitcher Jonathan Pintaro to their Major League Baseball roster. The news, initially reported by Will Sammon of The Athletic, indicates that the Mets will need to make corresponding moves on both their active and 40-man rosters to accommodate Pintaro.
Pintaro, a 27-year-old who was pitching for Double-A Binghamton this season, has primarily served as a starter, though not in a traditional, high-inning role. His outings typically lasted around four innings. Despite this, his statistics have been impressive, boasting a strikeout rate of approximately one-third of all batters faced, against an 8.8% walk percentage. Just recently promoted to Triple-A on Tuesday, the Mets swiftly altered course, deciding his talents were needed immediately at the major league level.
Sammon suggests that Pintaro is expected to contribute out of the bullpen, likely in a low-leverage, long-relief capacity. This role will allow him to acclimate to the majors without the immediate pressure of high-stakes situations.
An Unconventional Path to the Majors
Pintaro's journey to the major leagues is an inspiring one. A graduate of Division II Shorter University in Georgia, he remarkably went undrafted in 2022. His perseverance led him to professional baseball through the Pioneer League before landing a minor league contract with the Mets last June. Once he takes the mound, Pintaro will become only the second player in Shorter University's history, following Bob Long (a reliever in the 1980s), to reach the majors. His story is a testament to hard work and dedication.
Prospect Profile and Potential
After joining the Mets organization, Pintaro quickly made an impression. He compiled a combined 2.68 ERA with a strikeout rate exceeding one per inning across 74 innings pitched at three different levels in his early affiliated ball career. This performance earned him recognition, with Baseball America ranking him as the #25 prospect within the New York Mets system during the offseason.
Baseball America highlighted Pintaro’s potential as a depth starter and/or swingman, noting his ability to disrupt hitters' timing using a diverse five-pitch arsenal. This versatility makes him a valuable asset to the Mets pitching staff, capable of filling various roles as needed.
What to Expect from Pintaro
While it's impossible to predict the future, Pintaro's track record suggests he could provide valuable innings for the Mets bullpen. His ability to generate strikeouts and control the strike zone will be crucial. How he adjusts to the pressure of the major leagues remains to be seen, but his journey thus far demonstrates the resilience and skill necessary to succeed.
The Mets' decision to call up Pintaro reflects their need for bullpen depth as they navigate the season. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how this undrafted success story performs on the biggest stage.
- Key Stats: Impressive strikeout rate, low walk percentage in Double-A.
- Projected Role: Low-leverage, long relief.
- Prospect Ranking: #25 in the Mets system (Baseball America).
- Pitch Mix: Five-pitch arsenal designed to disrupt hitters' timing.