ProfileHt.: 5'10" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut04/26/2022
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Low
Track Record: Rene Pinto made his MLB debut on April 26, 2022. He's also the second-longest employed Ray on the 40-man roster. Pinto signed with the Rays out of Venezuela in 2013. Only 2012 signee Yonny Chrinos has been a Ray longer among players on the current 40-man roster. Because he's a late-bloomer, Pinto was only added to the 40-man roster before the 2022 season, so he used only his first option while shuttling back-and-forth from Durham to Tampa Bay and back.
Scouting Report: Pinto fits the profile of an MLB backup catcher thanks to arm, power and defense. And he doesn't fit the profile of a starting catcher because of his struggles to consistently make contact. His significant swing-and-miss issues at the plate ensures he gets to that power only sporadically. Pinto should do better than the 42% strikeout rate he showed in his MLB debut, but his modest bat speed and bat-to-ball skills explain why he projects to be a well below-average hitter. He's a solid game-caller, but only an average receiver. Pinto does a good job of shutting down running games with a plus arm.
The Future: Pinto's 2023 season will largely be determined by the Rays other moves at catcher. Pinto is ready to serve as the Rays' backup catcher, but if the Rays add an external catcher and retain Francisco Mejia, Pinto would likely end up back as the No. 3 catcher for another year thanks to his two remaining options.
Track Record: Catching is a family tradition for Rene Pinto. His father Rene was a minor league catcher in the Yankees system from 1994-2000 and ranked as the team’s best defensive catcher in 1998. The younger Pinto signed in 2013 for $100,000, but he largely worked in obscurity until this season. He more than doubled his career high in home runs and threw out 37.5% of basestealers.
Scouting Report: Pinto has been a solid defensive catcher for a few years. He calls a good game, has a plus-plus arm and has steadily improved his receiving to average. Pinto has opened up his stance and adopted a higher hand set. He doesn’t hit the ball exceptionally hard, but he hits the ball consistently hard, driving balls over the fence to both power alleys. He’s still an aggressive hitter, but with his newfound power, his offensive profile has improved. Now he looks like a .230-.240 hitter, but with the 20-home run power that can make that work as a catcher. Like most catchers, he is a station-to-station runner.
The Future: The Rays had to add Pinto the 40-man roster both to protect him from the Rule 5 draft and to ensure he couldn’t leave as a minor league free agent. Pinto should eventually be a backup catcher with a shot to be a second-division regular.
Scouting Reports
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Low
Track Record: Rene Pinto made his MLB debut on April 26, 2022. He's also the second-longest employed Ray on the 40-man roster. Pinto signed with the Rays out of Venezuela in 2013. Only 2012 signee Yonny Chrinos has been a Ray longer among players on the current 40-man roster. Because he's a late-bloomer, Pinto was only added to the 40-man roster before the 2022 season, so he used only his first option while shuttling back-and-forth from Durham to Tampa Bay and back.
Scouting Report: Pinto fits the profile of an MLB backup catcher thanks to arm, power and defense. And he doesn't fit the profile of a starting catcher because of his struggles to consistently make contact. His significant swing-and-miss issues at the plate ensures he gets to that power only sporadically. Pinto should do better than the 42% strikeout rate he showed in his MLB debut, but his modest bat speed and bat-to-ball skills explain why he projects to be a well below-average hitter. He's a solid game-caller, but only an average receiver. Pinto does a good job of shutting down running games with a plus arm.
The Future: Pinto's 2023 season will largely be determined by the Rays other moves at catcher. Pinto is ready to serve as the Rays' backup catcher, but if the Rays add an external catcher and retain Francisco Mejia, Pinto would likely end up back as the No. 3 catcher for another year thanks to his two remaining options.
Track Record: Rene Pinto made his MLB debut on April 26, 2022. He's also the second-longest employed Ray on the 40-man roster. Pinto signed with the Rays out of Venezuela in 2013. Only 2012 signee Yonny Chrinos has been a Ray longer among players on the current 40-man roster. Because he's a late-bloomer, Pinto was only added to the 40-man roster before the 2022 season, so he used only his first option while shuttling back-and-forth from Durham to Tampa Bay and back.
Scouting Report: Pinto fits the profile of an MLB backup catcher thanks to arm, power and defense. And he doesn't fit the profile of a starting catcher because of his struggles to consistently make contact. His significant swing-and-miss issues at the plate ensures he gets to that power only sporadically. Pinto should do better than the 42% strikeout rate he showed in his MLB debut, but his modest bat speed and bat-to-ball skills explain why he projects to be a well below-average hitter. He's a solid game-caller, but only an average receiver. Pinto does a good job of shutting down running games with a plus arm.
The Future: Pinto's 2023 season will largely be determined by the Rays other moves at catcher. Pinto is ready to serve as the Rays' backup catcher, but if the Rays add an external catcher and retain Francisco Mejia, Pinto would likely end up back as the No. 3 catcher for another year thanks to his two remaining options.
Track Record: Catching is a family tradition for Rene Pinto. His father Rene was a minor league catcher in the Yankees system from 1994-2000 and ranked as the team's best defensive catcher in 1998. The younger Pinto signed in 2013 for $100,000, but he largely worked in obscurity until this season. He more than doubled his career high in home runs and threw out 37.5% of basestealers.
Scouting Report: Pinto has been a solid defensive catcher for a few years. He calls a good game, has a plus-plus arm and has steadily improved his receiving to average. Pinto has opened up his stance and adopted a higher hand set. He doesn't hit the ball exceptionally hard, but he hits the ball consistently hard, driving balls over the fence to both power alleys. He's still an aggressive hitter, but with his newfound power, his offensive profile has improved. Now he looks like a .230-.240 hitter, but with the 20-home run power that can make that work as a catcher. Like most catchers, he is a station-to-station runner.
The Future: The Rays had to add Pinto the 40-man roster both to protect him from the Rule 5 draft and to ensure he couldn't leave as a minor league free agent. Pinto should eventually be a backup catcher with a shot to be a second-division regular.
Track Record: Catching is a family tradition for Rene Pinto. His father Rene was a minor league catcher in the Yankees system from 1994-2000 and ranked as the team’s best defensive catcher in 1998. The younger Pinto signed in 2013 for $100,000, but he largely worked in obscurity until this season. He more than doubled his career high in home runs and threw out 37.5% of basestealers.
Scouting Report: Pinto has been a solid defensive catcher for a few years. He calls a good game, has a plus-plus arm and has steadily improved his receiving to average. Pinto has opened up his stance and adopted a higher hand set. He doesn’t hit the ball exceptionally hard, but he hits the ball consistently hard, driving balls over the fence to both power alleys. He’s still an aggressive hitter, but with his newfound power, his offensive profile has improved. Now he looks like a .230-.240 hitter, but with the 20-home run power that can make that work as a catcher. Like most catchers, he is a station-to-station runner.
The Future: The Rays had to add Pinto the 40-man roster both to protect him from the Rule 5 draft and to ensure he couldn’t leave as a minor league free agent. Pinto should eventually be a backup catcher with a shot to be a second-division regular.
Career Transactions
Philadelphia Phillies invited non-roster C René Pinto to spring training.
C René Pinto assigned to Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent C René Pinto to a minor league contract.
C René Pinto elected free agency.
C René Pinto assigned to Leones del Caracas.
Buffalo Bisons activated C René Pinto.
C René Pinto assigned to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent C René Pinto to a minor league contract.
Reno Aces released C René Pinto.
Reno Aces transferred C René Pinto to the Development List.
Reno Aces activated C René Pinto from the 7-day injured list.
Reno Aces sent C René Pinto on a rehab assignment to ACL D-backs.
Reno Aces placed C René Pinto on the 7-day injured list.
Reno Aces activated C René Pinto from the reserve list.
Reno Aces activated C René Pinto from the reserve list.
Reno Aces placed C René Pinto on the reserve list.
Arizona Diamondbacks sent C René Pinto outright to Reno Aces.
Arizona Diamondbacks designated C René Pinto for assignment.
Baltimore Orioles claimed C René Pinto off waivers from Tampa Bay Rays.
Leones del Caracas traded C Eliezer Alfonzo and RHP Alfred Gutierrez to Navegantes del Magallanes for C René Pinto.
C René Pinto assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C René Pinto from Durham Bulls.
Durham Bulls activated C René Pinto from the 7-day injured list.
Durham Bulls placed C René Pinto on the 7-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned C René Pinto to Durham Bulls.
Durham Bulls activated C René Pinto.
Durham Bulls activated C René Pinto.
C René Pinto assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C René Pinto from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C René Pinto from Durham Bulls.
sent C René Pinto on a rehab assignment to FCL Rays.
Durham Bulls sent C René Pinto on a rehab assignment to FCL Rays.
Durham Bulls sent C René Pinto on a rehab assignment to FCL Rays.
Durham Bulls placed C René Pinto on the 7-day injured list.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned C René Pinto to Durham Bulls.
Leones del Escogido activated C René Pinto.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Leones del Escogido.
Tampa Bay Rays activated C Rene Pinto.
Tampa Bay Rays reassigned C Rene Pinto to the minor leagues.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C Rene Pinto from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned C Rene Pinto to Durham Bulls.
Durham Bulls activated C Rene Pinto.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C Rene Pinto, and from Durham Bulls.
Durham Bulls activated C Rene Pinto.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned C Rene Pinto to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C Rene Pinto from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned C Rene Pinto to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned C Rene Pinto to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned C Rene Pinto to Durham Bulls.
Tigres del Licey activated C Rene Pinto.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Tigres del Licey.
Leones del Escogido activated C Rene Pinto.
Tampa Bay Rays activated C Rene Pinto.
Tampa Bay Rays activated C Rene Pinto.
Tampa Bay Rays selected the contract of C Rene Pinto from Durham Bulls.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Durham Bulls from Montgomery Biscuits.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Montgomery Biscuits from Rays Alternate Training Site.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Tampa Bay Rays .
Tampa Bay Rays invited non-roster C Rene Pinto to spring training.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent C Rene Pinto to a minor league contract.
C Rene Pinto elected free agency.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Durham Bulls from Rays Alternate Training Site.
Tampa Bay Rays invited non-roster C Rene Pinto to spring training.
Tampa Bay Rays invited non-roster C Rene Pinto to spring training.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Montgomery Biscuits from Charlotte Stone Crabs.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
Charlotte Stone Crabs activated C Rene Pinto from the 7-day injured list.
Charlotte Stone Crabs placed C Rene Pinto on the 7-day disabled list.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Charlotte Stone Crabs from Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Bowling Green Hot Rods activated C Rene Pinto from the 7-day disabled list.
Bowling Green Hot Rods sent C Rene Pinto on a rehab assignment to GCL Rays.
Bowling Green Hot Rods placed C Rene Pinto on the 7-day disabled list.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods from Princeton Rays.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Tampa Bay Rays.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Princeton Rays from GCL Rays.
C Rene Pinto assigned to GCL Rays.
C Rene Pinto assigned to Navegantes del Magallanes.
C Rene Pinto assigned to VSL Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent C Rene Pinto to a minor league contract.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C Rene Pinto from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled C Rene Pinto from Durham Bulls.
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