Israel Pineda

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #19 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Pineda impressed when he signed out of Venezuela in 2016 for $450,000. However, he took a step back in 2019 and continued to struggle at High-A in 2021. He worked in the offseason to add strength and speed and it paid off in 2022, when he became one of the most improved prospects in the system. After starting the season repeating at High-A Wilmington, Pineda was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg after 67 games. He thrived in Harrisburg and slashed .280/.340/.538 and showed improved defensive skills. He finished the season with six games for Triple-A Rochester and then made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: Pineda's defense took a step forward in 2022, especially in the quickness in his hands. His framing still needs some work, but he has the mechanics to be one of the best catchers in the system. His pop times average sub-2.0 seconds--the major league average--on throws to second base and his arm is a true plus tool. He showcased his ability to control the running game. Across three minor league levels, Pineda threw out 38% of basestealers. He has a chance to be a powerful hitter--in the minors in 2022 he hit 16 home runs and 20 doubles while slugging .458-- but is aggressive at the plate. If he can slow things down and try to take advantage of mistakes, he could grow into an above-average offensive player.
  
  The Future: The Nationals were encouraged by Pineda's development in 2022, which culminated in his first callup to Washington in his seventh pro season. If he can continue to grow defensively, he could become Washington's backup catcher of the future.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55 Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #22 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Originally a $450,000 signing out of Venezuela in 2016, Pineda impressed in his first two seasons in the system before taking a step back in his first full season in Low-A in 2019. After spending time at the alternate training site and instructional league in 2020, he spent 2021 at High-A, where he hit just .208 but showed off his power with 14 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Offensively, Pineda has a quick swing and impressive raw power, but he has an active setup and appears fidgety at times in the box, as if he’s tinkering with his setup in real time. His plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone is still a work in progress. Defensively, his mobility is sufficient but not exemplary, and he has a strong arm, which has helped him put up caught stealing rates of 40% or better in each of his minor league seasons.
  
  The Future: Pineda has taken a step back since he was named a New York-Penn League all-star in 2018 as a young player in the league. He has loud tools that give him an intriguing ceiling, but there’s refinement to be made for him to reach it.
  
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #15 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Pineda signed with the Nationals for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2016 and impressed his first two years in short-season ball. He made the jump to low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and struggled with strike zone discipline, batting .217/.278/.305. The Nationals still brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pineda showed growth and maturity at the alternate site and at instructional league, providing hope his poor 2019 was a mirage. A bat-first catcher, Pineda has a quick swing, above-average raw power and crushes fastballs. He's been undone by breaking balls in the past, but he has learned to take more pitches and put himself in better counts. Pineda's size and strong arm give him a good foundation as a catcher. His mobility is limited and his defensive skills need polish, but he is making progress.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pineda should see high Class A in 2021. He has a chance to emerge as a part-time catcher if he can sustain his offensive improvements.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #19 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Pineda, who signed for $450,000, hit .288/.323/.441 as a 17-year-old in the Rookielevel Gulf Coast League and .273/.341/.388 at age 18 in the short-season New York-Penn League, but he struggled offensively this past year in low A ball. His bat-to-ball skills dipped in full-season action, but he was one of the youngest players in the league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite the drop-off at Hagerstown, Pineda has above-average future hit and power tools. He has a quick bat and hits fastballs in the strike zone. In the second half of the season, he improved at hitting the ball to the opposite field. The Nationals wanted to test Pineda by putting him in the middle of the order, and 358 of his at-bats were from the third, fourth or fifth spot. He tends to get overly aggressive and needs to better recognize off-speed pitches. Pineda is an average fielder with an above-average arm and little speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: After a good learning year in the South Atlantic League, Pineda may well return there in 2020
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #15 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Nationals signed Pineda as part of their big 2016 international class, inking him to a $450,000 deal as an offensive-minded catching prospect whose defense still needed some work. After more than holding his own during his debut pro season in the Gulf Coast League in 2017, Pineda was promoted to the New York-Penn League in 2018 where--at almost three years younger than the average hitter--he hit .273/.341/.388 with four home runs and made the NYPL all-star team.
  
  Scouting Report: Washington officials were impressed with Pineda's bat-to-ball skills and believe that he'll continue to add strength and physicality to his stocky frame to hit for more power in the future. Praised for his ability to use the entire field, Pineda has pulled more than half of his batted balls in each of the last two seasons, but might use the right-center gap as he's challenged more at the plate in the future. Defensively, Pineda has above-average arm strength and has thrown out an impressive 42 percent of baserunners in his 370 minor league innings behind the plate.
  
  The Future: A broken bone in his left hand ended Pineda's season in August, but he could shoot up this list in the future given health and further refinement in his game.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #9 prospect in 2018
  The importance of a quality catcher cannot be understated, and Pineda is slowly growing into that mold. The Venezuelan backstop has had two solid seasons so far in the minors, batting .273/.341/.388 for Auburn in 2018. Despite being just 18 years old, Pineda features an advanced bat with a feel for spraying the ball to all fields. He is also credited for being a leader at the position, which is rare considering the short amount of time he has in the minors. In addition to his bat, he is considered a solid-average defender behind the plate. Pineda’s body is already physically mature, leaving scouts wondering if he has already maximized his bat and power potential. Even so, his feel to hit and solid defensive tools create a profile of a solid all-around catcher who could grow into a big league regular.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Pineda impressed when he signed out of Venezuela in 2016 for $450,000. However, he took a step back in 2019 and continued to struggle at High-A in 2021. He worked in the offseason to add strength and speed and it paid off in 2022, when he became one of the most improved prospects in the system. After starting the season repeating at High-A Wilmington, Pineda was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg after 67 games. He thrived in Harrisburg and slashed .280/.340/.538 and showed improved defensive skills. He finished the season with six games for Triple-A Rochester and then made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: Pineda's defense took a step forward in 2022, especially in the quickness in his hands. His framing still needs some work, but he has the mechanics to be one of the best catchers in the system. His pop times average sub-2.0 seconds--the major league average--on throws to second base and his arm is a true plus tool. He showcased his ability to control the running game. Across three minor league levels, Pineda threw out 38% of basestealers. He has a chance to be a powerful hitter--in the minors in 2022 he hit 16 home runs and 20 doubles while slugging .458-- but is aggressive at the plate. If he can slow things down and try to take advantage of mistakes, he could grow into an above-average offensive player.
  
  The Future: The Nationals were encouraged by Pineda's development in 2022, which culminated in his first callup to Washington in his seventh pro season. If he can continue to grow defensively, he could become Washington's backup catcher of the future.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55 Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Pineda impressed when he signed out of Venezuela in 2016 for $450,000. However, he took a step back in 2019 and continued to struggle at High-A in 2021. He worked in the offseason to add strength and speed and it paid off in 2022, when he became one of the most improved prospects in the system. After starting the season repeating at High-A Wilmington, Pineda was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg after 67 games. He thrived in Harrisburg and slashed .280/.340/.538 and showed improved defensive skills. He finished the season with six games for Triple-A Rochester and then made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: Pineda's defense took a step forward in 2022, especially in the quickness in his hands. His framing still needs some work, but he has the mechanics to be one of the best catchers in the system. His pop times average sub-2.0 seconds--the major league average--on throws to second base and his arm is a true plus tool. He showcased his ability to control the running game. Across three minor league levels, Pineda threw out 38% of basestealers. He has a chance to be a powerful hitter--in the minors in 2022 he hit 16 home runs and 20 doubles while slugging .458-- but is aggressive at the plate. If he can slow things down and try to take advantage of mistakes, he could grow into an above-average offensive player.
  
  The Future: The Nationals were encouraged by Pineda's development in 2022, which culminated in his first callup to Washington in his seventh pro season. If he can continue to grow defensively, he could become Washington's backup catcher of the future.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55 Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Originally a $450,000 signing out of Venezuela in 2016, Pineda impressed in his first two seasons in the system before taking a step back in his first full season in Low-A in 2019. After spending time at the alternate training site and instructional league in 2020, he spent 2021 at High-A, where he hit just .208 but showed off his power with 14 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Offensively, Pineda has a quick swing and impressive raw power, but he has an active setup and appears fidgety at times in the box, as if he&#39s tinkering with his setup in real time. His plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone is still a work in progress. Defensively, his mobility is sufficient but not exemplary, and he has a strong arm, which has helped him put up caught stealing rates of 40% or better in each of his minor league seasons.
  
  The Future: Pineda has taken a step back since he was named a New York-Penn League all-star in 2018 as a young player in the league. He has loud tools that give him an intriguing ceiling, but there&#39s refinement to be made for him to reach it.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Originally a $450,000 signing out of Venezuela in 2016, Pineda impressed in his first two seasons in the system before taking a step back in his first full season in Low-A in 2019. After spending time at the alternate training site and instructional league in 2020, he spent 2021 at High-A, where he hit just .208 but showed off his power with 14 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Offensively, Pineda has a quick swing and impressive raw power, but he has an active setup and appears fidgety at times in the box, as if he’s tinkering with his setup in real time. His plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone is still a work in progress. Defensively, his mobility is sufficient but not exemplary, and he has a strong arm, which has helped him put up caught stealing rates of 40% or better in each of his minor league seasons.
  
  The Future: Pineda has taken a step back since he was named a New York-Penn League all-star in 2018 as a young player in the league. He has loud tools that give him an intriguing ceiling, but there’s refinement to be made for him to reach it.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pineda signed with the Nationals for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2016 and impressed his first two years in short-season ball. He made the jump to low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and struggled with strike zone discipline, batting .217/.278/.305. The Nationals still brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pineda showed growth and maturity at the alternate site and at instructional league, providing hope his poor 2019 was a mirage. A bat-first catcher, Pineda has a quick swing, above-average raw power and crushes fastballs. He's been undone by breaking balls in the past, but he has learned to take more pitches and put himself in better counts. Pineda's size and strong arm give him a good foundation as a catcher. His mobility is limited and his defensive skills need polish, but he is making progress.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pineda should see high Class A in 2021. He has a chance to emerge as a part-time catcher if he can sustain his offensive improvements.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pineda signed with the Nationals for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2016 and impressed his first two years in short-season ball. He made the jump to low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and struggled with strike zone discipline, batting .217/.278/.305. The Nationals still brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pineda showed growth and maturity at the alternate site and at instructional league, providing hope his poor 2019 was a mirage. A bat-first catcher, Pineda has a quick swing, above-average raw power and crushes fastballs. He's been undone by breaking balls in the past, but he has learned to take more pitches and put himself in better counts. Pineda's size and strong arm give him a good foundation as a catcher. His mobility is limited and his defensive skills need polish, but he is making progress.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pineda should see high Class A in 2021. He has a chance to emerge as a part-time catcher if he can sustain his offensive improvements.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pineda signed with the Nationals for $450,000 out of Venezuela in 2016 and impressed his first two years in short-season ball. He made the jump to low Class A Hagerstown in 2019 and struggled with strike zone discipline, batting .217/.278/.305. The Nationals still brought him to their alternate training site in 2020 and he finished the year in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Pineda showed growth and maturity at the alternate site and at instructional league, providing hope his poor 2019 was a mirage. A bat-first catcher, Pineda has a quick swing, above-average raw power and crushes fastballs. He's been undone by breaking balls in the past, but he has learned to take more pitches and put himself in better counts. Pineda's size and strong arm give him a good foundation as a catcher. His mobility is limited and his defensive skills need polish, but he is making progress.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pineda should see high Class A in 2021. He has a chance to emerge as a part-time catcher if he can sustain his offensive improvements.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pineda, who signed for $450,000, hit .288/.323/.441 as a 17-year-old in the Rookielevel Gulf Coast League and .273/.341/.388 at age 18 in the short-season New York-Penn League, but he struggled offensively this past year in low A ball. His bat-to-ball skills dipped in full-season action, but he was one of the youngest players in the league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite the drop-off at Hagerstown, Pineda has above-average future hit and power tools. He has a quick bat and hits fastballs in the strike zone. In the second half of the season, he improved at hitting the ball to the opposite field. The Nationals wanted to test Pineda by putting him in the middle of the order, and 358 of his at-bats were from the third, fourth or fifth spot. He tends to get overly aggressive and needs to better recognize off-speed pitches. Pineda is an average fielder with an above-average arm and little speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: After a good learning year in the South Atlantic League, Pineda may well return there in 2020
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pineda, who signed for $450,000, hit .288/.323/.441 as a 17-year-old in the Rookielevel Gulf Coast League and .273/.341/.388 at age 18 in the short-season New York-Penn League, but he struggled offensively this past year in low A ball. His bat-to-ball skills dipped in full-season action, but he was one of the youngest players in the league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Despite the drop-off at Hagerstown, Pineda has above-average future hit and power tools. He has a quick bat and hits fastballs in the strike zone. In the second half of the season, he improved at hitting the ball to the opposite field. The Nationals wanted to test Pineda by putting him in the middle of the order, and 358 of his at-bats were from the third, fourth or fifth spot. He tends to get overly aggressive and needs to better recognize off-speed pitches. Pineda is an average fielder with an above-average arm and little speed.
  
  THE FUTURE: After a good learning year in the South Atlantic League, Pineda may well return there in 2020