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Very surprised the Nats didn't protect Pineda.
The 23-year-old, a native of Panama, has been really sharp since starting 2018 with the Suns. But his 2019 was cut short by a 50-game suspension for testing positive for Heptaminol, a stimulant on MLB’s list of banned substances. Before that, his season was split between starting and relieving. He had a 0.53 ERA in eight relief appearances for the Class A Potomac Nationals. He then had a 2.69 ERA in 15 appearances, 11 of which were starts, for the Class AA Harrisburg Senators.The Nationals are intrigued by his potential to fill two needs. They prefer to stretch out pitchers when they can but could also see Fuentes in a future bullpen. Mark Scialabba, the club’s assistant general manager in charge of player development, recently praised Fuentes’s ability to pound the zone with his sinker, slider and change-up....While the Nationals locked in Antuna, Adon and Fuentes — showing their confidence in the group — they’ve also exposed a handful of young players in their system. That group includes 20-year-old catcher Israel Pineda, catcher Raudy Read, right-handed pitcher Sterling Sharp, infielder/outfielder Cole Freeman and outfielder Nick Banks. Of those names, the Nationals seem highest on Pineda. But given his age and a team’s obligation to carry him upon Rule 5 selection, it’s unlikely Pineda is on anyone’s radar quite yet.
Jessica Camerato @JessicaCamerato22m#Nationals top-30 prospects who are eligible to be selected by another team in today's #Rule5Draft: C Israel Pineda (No. 14), RHP Sterling Sharp (No. 24), C Raudy Read (No. 27), OF/2B Cole Freeman (No. 28), OF Nick Banks (No. 29)
