Since he was called up to Toledo from Double-A Erie on May 29, Mud Hens infielder Daniel Pinero has given the team some much-needed versatility.
Pinero has played third base, shortstop, second base, and first base while with the Mud Hens.
Originally from Toronto, Pinero helped the University of Virginia win the College World Series in 2015. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the ninth round of the 2016 MLB draft.
Pinero, 25, was with High-A Lakeland for all of 2018 and has had an adjustment process as he has jumped to Double-A and then Triple-A this season.
He is a career .267 hitter in the minor leagues. But he is batting just .218 with the Mud Hens this season in 78 at-bats after hitting .235 in 149 at-bats with Erie. He has three home runs and 12 RBIs in his 24 games with the Mud Hens.
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Pinero has a big frame, but he has shown the ability to play any position on the infield.
Q: How did you end up playing in college with Virginia?
A: I played with the Ontario Blue Jays, which is a travel ball team in Canada. I actually played with Jacob Robson. We played on the same travel ball team. Every fall we would start in Toronto and go all the way down to Florida. Each day we’d face a different college team. One day we went down to Virginia and faced UVA. [Virginia coach] Brian O’Connor liked what he saw in me and gave me a scholarship, and it really worked out.
Q: What has the adjustment been like to professional baseball?
A: Going from the metal bats to wood bats is an adjustment. But obviously the competition is better and the level of pitching you see is way better. Everyone is throwing hard. It’s a big leap for sure. It’s all the best guys, not just from the U.S., but around the world. It’s definitely a lot tougher.
Q: Is it an adjustment every time you move up a level?
A: I just try to put quality at-bats together and have a good plan up at the plate. At the lower levels, you kind of just go up there and you see the ball and you hit it. As you move up and you have these veteran pitchers, they know a lot about baseball and they’ve been around for a while. They are still here for a reason and they know how to pitch you. You have to go up there and not just see the ball and hit the ball. You have to think and remember what the guy did to you in the past. It’s a lot more of a mental change rather than a physical change.
Q: You played second base the other night. Was that your first time playing there?
A: Yes, it was my first time playing second base. I’m so used to the sight from the left side – at shortstop and third base. It’s completely the opposite. I’d like to get more experience at second base and keep taking ground balls there and get used to it. It will become a little bit easier.
Q: What are you working on improving while here in Toledo?
A: I’m working on everything. Everything in your all-around game always needs work. Every pitch I want to be mentally in it. Every pitch means something. Anything can happen at any time. I’m not taking anything for granted. You never know when you will throw your last ball or play your last game. I want to have fun and enjoy it, but also play for my teammates and win ball games. That’s what it all comes down to, winning and playing hard. Playing hard usually results in winning baseball games.
Q: Do you think baseball is growing in Canada?
A: For sure. There are a lot more guys getting drafted these days. I don’t know if more scouts are going up to Canada to watch baseball games. I have no idea, but I definitely see a lot of Canadians and have run into them on the way up. It’s great to see them, and it’s always good to see a Canadian chasing their baseball dream.
Q: Was it always baseball for you growing up or did you play other sports?
A: I always played baseball and basketball. I played both sports all the way up until I was 19. I had to choose one then, and I just thought I had a better future with baseball.
First Published June 25, 2019, 3:32 p.m.
