Toronto Blue Jays Call Up Venezuelan Prospect To Boost Anemic Offense

BusinessSportsMoneyToronto Blue Jays Call Up Venezuelan Prospect To Boost Anemic OffenseByChuck Murr,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Chuck analyzes and writes about baseball, soccer & other sports.Follow AuthorApr 25, 2026, 01:56pm EDTApr 25, 2026, 02:15pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.FORT MYERS, FL: Yohendrick Pinango of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty ImagesToronto Blue Jays prospect Yohendrick Pinango is about to become the first player in Major League Baseball history with either that unusual first name or last. It’s because the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays need help. They are unexpectedly scuffling on offense. Their injured list is getting crowded. Their record is 10-15.Therefore, a 5-10, 170-pound Venezuelan, ranked as the Blue Jays’ No. 10 prospect by MLB.com and No. 11 by Baseball America, got the call today at Triple-A Buffalo to drive 98 miles to Toronto and suit up.Pinango has been hitting well – .288 with 3 homers and 13 RBI in 22 games for the Buffalo Bisons. By Blue Jays standards this season, that’s good enough. Toronto is in the bottom half of most offensive categories this year. On the way to going to the World Series in 2025, the Blue Jays led the AL in hits, batting average and on-base percentage, were second in runs and RBI and third in doubles, walks and slugging percentage.Pinango is coming off a spectacular performance for Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League. In 24 games, he hit .363 with 8 homers, 8 doubles and 31 RBI. That followed a decent 2025 split between Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire. Overall, he hit .258 with 15 homers, 70 RBI and 6 steals without being caught in 131 games.MORE FOR YOUREADING, PA: Yohendrick Pinango of t...