Pinango promotion the silver lining as Blue Jays outfielders hit IL

The Toronto Blue Jays have had some recent success stories in player development, and Yohendrick Pinango may be the next prospect to make an impact in the majors.

The Blue Jays’ 23rd-ranked prospect got off to a hot start at Double-A New Hampshire, hitting .298 with 10 doubles, eight homers, and a .928 OPS over 47 games. That production was rewarded with a promotion to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons this week and Pinango he has already made an impact in his debut at the minors’ highest level. 

Pinango promotion the silver lining as Blue Jays outfielders hit IL

The 23-year-old was acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Chicago Cubs that yielded infield prospect Josh Rivera in exchange for reliever Nate Pearson last summer. His rise this season is a pleasant surprise after he struggled at the Double-A level last season, posting a .608 OPS over 88 games in the Cubs and Jays’ respective systems. Pinango adjusted his swing path over the offseason to improve his exit velocities and launch angles by making better swing decisions and producing more damaging contact.

Pinango’s graduation represents a silver lining to a Blue Jays outfield, which has featured a rotating cast, thanks to injuries. Daulton Varsho went down with a hamstring injury during Saturday’s game against the Athletics and was placed on the 10-day IL. He joins Anthony Santander, who was also placed on the 10-day IL with shoulder inflammation on May 30.

Their absences have forced Manager John Schneider to find playing time in a crowded outfield bunch that now includes George Springer, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Jonatan Clase, Alan Roden, and Davis Schneider. The latter two were promoted from Buffalo when Santander and Varsho were injured, and Schneider has looked refreshed, with four hits in nine at-bats, including a home run. Roden is hitless in four ABs since being recalled. 

The Blue Jays have played their best baseball over the past week and a half, with eight wins in their past 10 games, so the injuries have hardly cratered their season. They’ve been forced to go with more matchup-focused, platoon-style lineups, which fit their personnel.  

Thursday’s lineup, facing lefty Jesus Luzardo, featured eight right-handed hitters and the switch-hitting Clase, and they jumped on the southpaw, scoring eight of their nine runs in the first three innings. When facing a right-hander, Schneider can also employ a left-centric lineup that may include Lukes, Roden, or Clase. The infield can also play the platoon game with Addison Barger and Ernie Clement at third base, and Andrés Giménez, Clement, and Schneider at second base.

The Jays are eager to have Santander and Varsho back, but have been winning with the current roster, which is sure to change when those two return. With his glow-up this season, Pinango is putting himself on the shortlist of next players to get called up.