Fansided

Rays lose catcher to division-rival Orioles after waiver claim

By Mason Stacy |
Tampa Bay Rays v Cincinnati Reds
Tampa Bay Rays v Cincinnati Reds / Justin Casterline/GettyImages

Rays catcher options dwindle after losing Rene Pinto

Rene Pinto has been a member of the Rays organization since he was signed in 2013 at the age of 16. The Venezuelan catcher climbed through the minor league system slowly as it took him six years to be assigned to the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. Pinto would eventually make his MLB debut in April of 2022, but his time with the Rays never developed properly. Yesterday, the young backstop was claimed off of waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. We are assuming that Pinto will be fighting for a back-up role behind proven catcher, Adley Rutschman.

In 2021, the former Rays catcher started to put together some impressive offensive numbers and quickly got the attention of the front office. Pinto carried a .274 AVG with 20 HRs and 60 RBIs as he split time between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. The following campaign, he slashed .266/.320/.521 en route to his MLB call-up. The power-hitter would bounce back and forth between Durham and Tampa Bay as he finished the season with only 25 games in a Rays jersey.

Apr 26, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Rene Pinto (50) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Apr 26, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Rene Pinto (50) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Regardless, Rays fans saw some substantial potential from the young catcher as he manufactured 10 RBIs along with a couple of home runs. After an injury sidelined him in the minors, Pinto was recalled by the Rays to serve as their back-up catcher. He replaced a struggling Francisco Mejia and fans started to picture Rene Pinto as the backstop of the future. The 28-year old finished 2023 strong as he hit .252 and mashed six home runs in a span of only 38 contests.

The Rays AL East foes have claimed Pinto to kick off the 2025 offseason. He could fulfill a role as the consistent back-up in Baltimore behind established player, Adley Rutschman. Although the Orioles already have a veteran back-up option in James McCann, he is likely to sign elsewhere in free agency.

Jun 4, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann (27) is congratulated by designated hitter Adley Rutschman (35) after he scored against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Jun 4, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann (27) is congratulated by designated hitter Adley Rutschman (35) after he scored against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images / John Hefti-Imagn Images

Will the Rays take action after losing one of their possible catching options? We would assume so! Free agent, James McCann is certainly an attainable alternative and his experience will benefit our young and hungry pitching staff. The Rays and Orioles could be early acquisition partners in this vital offseason.

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