Under the Radar Blue Jays prospects: Adrian Pinto

Adrian Pinto has been one of the best hitters in the Toronto Blue Jays’ farm system so far this season.

Pinto signed with the Colorado Rockies for $120,000 during the 2019 free agency period, making his debut in 2021. With Colorado’s Dominican Summer League team, Pinto slashed .360/.486/.543 with three home runs in 224 plate appearances, walking (17%) more than he struck out (8%) and stealing 41 bases in 49 attempts.

In March 2022, the Blue Jays traded Randal Grichuk (and cash) to the Rockies for Raimel Tapia and Pinto. It’s no secret that Pinto is short, I’ve seen as short as 5’5” and as tall as 5’8”, but his MiLB.com page lists him at 5’6”, 156 lbs.

Another thing about Pinto is that he’s suffered numerous injuries since joining the Jays. In 2022, he slashed .242/.375/.363 with two home runs in 194 plate appearances with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays. The next season, Pinto slashed .243/.404/.287 with no home runs in 149 plate appearances for a 109 wRC+.

Pinto missed the start of the 2024 season, finally appearing in a game on July 15. When healthy, Pinto tore up every level he played at, slashing .330/.378/.573 with four home runs, 11 doubles, and a triple in just 112 plate appearances. Even during this stint, Pinto was placed on the Injured List, albeit for 11 days. Thanks to his strong end to the season, Pinto ranked as our 22nd-best prospect.

This season, Pinto started the season with the High-A Vancouver Canadians. He picked up where he left off last season, hitting seven home runs and three triples in just 85 plate appearances, giving him a 165 wRC+.  As it stands, his seven home runs are tied for second in the Jays’ system, only one behind Arjun Nimmala.