Follow the Prospects: Israel Pineda, C

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now rehabbing at Wilmington

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Played last night.

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played tonight for FCL, 2-3, HR

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Story on Pineda from Jessica Camerato:

This Nats prospect wants to make up for lost time
57 minutes ago
Jessica Camerato
Jessica Camerato

@jessicacamerato
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This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

BROOKLYN -- As the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks took the field at Maimonides Park for pregame warmups in their navy tees, there was one player in a red Nationals shirt among the group. It was a visual reminder of the goal catcher Israel Pineda is striving to achieve.

“I work really hard,” Pineda, ranked as the Nationals’ No. 21 prospect by MLB Pipeline, said on Friday. “I lost three months. Right now, I’m doing everything. I try to be perfect. I try to be in good shape to come back.”

After making his Major League debut on Sept. 11, 2022, and appearing in four games with the Nats, Pineda prepared this offseason to contend for a spot on the Major League roster. But he sustained a right finger fracture when he was hit by a pitch during a Spring Training game on March 4, and he was placed on the 10-day injured list on March 30 (retroactive to March 27).

Pineda began a rehab assignment with the Blue Rocks on May 25. He played in only three games before he experienced another setback -- a left oblique strain. Pineda was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 19 when the Nationals placed right-hander Paolo Espino on the 15-day IL and called up righty Rico Garcia from Triple-A.

“It’s really hard,” Pineda said. “I try to take it nice and easy, don’t think too much because it’s really hard when you’re hurt two times in one year. … I try to do my job and come back soon.”

Pineda returned to the Blue Rocks lineup on July 21, where he has been tabbed as the starting catcher and the designated hitter. He hopes to be cleared to move up to Double-A soon.

“His big thing is that he has been hurt,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “A lot of it is about trying to keep him healthy. It just hasn’t happened yet, but we still value him.”

https://www.mlb.com/news/israel-pineda-on-injuries-minor-league-work

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DH tonoght for Harrisburg.

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DH again. So far 2-for-4

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https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/10-washington-nationals-prospects-to-know-beyond-the-top-30-in-2024/

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Pineda enjoyed a breakout 2022 season that ultimately led to his big league debut, but injuries and ineffectiveness scuttled his 2023 campaign. At his best, he has a quick swing and above-average power potential that punishes fastballs. But Pineda’s approach and strike zone discipline has wavered throughout his development, and his defensive framing remains a work-in-progress. Once considered a viable backup catching option, the Nats designated Pineda for assignment this winter and outrighted him to Triple-A Rochester in February.

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2023 / 2024 Spring Training Recap

Age: 23
Team rank: 26
Current level: AAA

2023 (3 levels): .176/.229/.268 .496 OPS, 3 HR, 0 SB (153 PA)
2023 AFL: .237/.303/.373 .676 OPS, 2 HR, 0 SB (66 PA)
2023 position (games played): 49 C

2024 Spring Training: .400/.400/.700 1.100 OPS, 1 HR, 0 SB (10 PA)