Blue Jays’ Yohendrick Pinango Displays Confidence With New Swing
The Blue Jays believed in Yohendrick Pinango’s bat speed and exit velocities when they first acquired him from the Cubs last summer, but they also had some ideas for the outfielder.
His attack angle was pretty steep. So while he was making hard contact, Pinango often drove the ball low in the air or directly into the ground.
So during the offseason, the Blue Jays introduced him to a series of drills designed to adjust his swing plane. The results have pushed the 23-year-old up to Triple-A Buffalo after two months of mashing at Double-A New Hampshire.
“His first move used to be down to the ball, now it’s just more in line to where he’s still really quick to fire the barrel, but it’s more getting that bat on plane earlier and that’s just giving him a little bit more time to make decisions,” Blue Jays farm director Joe Sclafani said.
“He’s been unbelievable, literally since the spring.”
Acquired along with shortstop Josh Rivera for Nate Pearson, Pinango’s progress has suddenly thrust him into a crowded organizational outfield mix featuring several players vying to break through.
Pinango first reached Double-A last season, posting a .720 OPS in 88 games between the Chicago and Toronto systems. But returning to New Hampshire this season, he batted .298/.406/.522 with eight home runs and five stolen bases in 47 games before a June 1 bump.
Sclafani said that between “the way he competes in the box” and how “the approach has continued to get better,” the Blue Jays believe the success can continue up a level.
“You can just see the confidence every time he steps in the box now,” he said. “He’s definitely taking to it pretty well. He’s not chasing just because he’s had a success. He’s not going outside of himself.
“His conviction to his plan and approach has been really impressive.”
