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Alberto Baldonado

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Alberto Baldonado
Baldonado with the Yomiuri Giants in 2024
Yomiuri Giants – No. 49
Pitcher
Born: (1993-02-01) February 1, 1993 (age 31)
Colón, Panama
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Professional debut
MLB: September 2, 2021, for the Washington Nationals
NPB: July 15, 2023, for the Yomiuri Giants
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average8.44
Strikeouts12
NPB statistics
(through October 12, 2024)
Win–loss record4-4
Earned run average2.22
Strikeouts84
Teams

Alberto Louis Baldonado (born February 1, 1993) is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals.

Career

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New York Mets

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A native of Colón, Panama, Baldonado signed with the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent in 2010 and was assigned to the Dominican Summer League Mets 1 team. Baldonado played for the GCL Mets in 2011, posting a 3.71 ERA in 11 games. Baldonado spent the ensuing two seasons with the rookie-level Kingsport Mets, posting a 6.75 ERA in 6 games (2012) and a 3.94 ERA in 14 games (2013). In 2014, he played for the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones, working to a 3–4 record and 4.34 ERA in 12 contests. Baldonado spent the following year with the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats, working to an excellent 1.91 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 56.2 innings pitched across 38 appearances. He split the 2016 season with the High-A St. Lucie Mets and the Double-A Binghamton Mets, logging a cumulative 3.77 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 47 total appearances. In 2017, Baldonado played for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, accumulating a 4.80 ERA in 50 appearances between the two affiliates. On November 6, 2017, Baldonado became a minor league free agent, at age 24.[1]

Chicago Cubs

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On December 11, 2017, Baldonado signed a minor league deal that included an invitation to major league spring training with the Chicago Cubs for the 2018 season.[2] He spent the season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star after pitching to a 4.88 ERA in 37 games.[3] Baldonado started the 2019 season with Triple-A Iowa as well, but he was released on May 17, 2019, after posting a 3.38 ERA over eight games.[4]

High Point Rockers

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On June 16, 2019, Baldonado latched on with the High Point Rockers of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, for whom he pitched in 13 games, recording a 1.98 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 13 contests.

Sultanes de Monterrey

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On July 30, 2019, Baldonado's contract was selected by the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.[5] With Monterrey, Baldonado worked to a 1.59 ERA in 12 appearances to close out the year. On January 21, 2020, Baldonado elected free agency.[6]

Washington Nationals

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On February 7, 2020, Baldonado signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. Baldonado did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] Baldonado was released by the Nationals organization on May 29.[8]

On January 6, 2021, Baldonado re-signed with the Nationals on a new minor league contract. He began the 2021 season with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, progressing then to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. After putting up a 2.88 ERA across the two levels, Baldonado had his contract selected September 1, and was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[9][10] Baldonado made his major league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 2, pitching a scoreless inning of relief. He struck out the first batter he faced, Matt Vierling, as well as the fourth, Bryce Harper.[11] Baldonado finished his rookie campaign with an 8.44 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 14 major league games. On October 13, Baldonado was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[12]

In 2022, Baldonado made 56 appearances for Triple–A Rochester, recording a 3.84 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 3 saves across 63+1⁄3 innings pitched.[13] He returned to Rochester in 2023, pitching in 29 contests and logging a 3.03 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 29+2⁄33 innings of work. On June 20, 2023, Baldonado was released by the Nationals organization to pursue an opportunity in Japan.[14]

Yomiuri Giants

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On July 1, 2023, Baldonado signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[15] He re-signed a one-year contract for the 2024 season on November 26. [16]

International career

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Baldonado was selected to represent Panama at the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualification.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Mayer, Michael (December 8, 2017). "Cubs Sign Alberto Baldonado". MetsMinors.net. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  2. ^ Cerami, Michael (January 25, 2018). "Cubs Sign Former Mets Relief Prospect Alberto Baldonado to a Minor League Deal". Bleacher Nation. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  3. ^ "Lefty Baldonado Tabbed PCL All-Star". Our Sports Central. June 28, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Timmers, Josh (May 22, 2019). "Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 22". Bleed Cubbie Blue. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  5. ^ "Baldonado Has Contract Purchased by Sultanes de Monterrey". Atlantic League. July 31, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Alberto Baldonado Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  7. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com. June 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "Minor League Transactions: April 1-June 1, 2020". June 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "Nationals reinstate Alex Avila and select Alberto Maldonado". Curly W Live. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  10. ^ "Nationals Select Alberto Baldonado". September 2021.
  11. ^ Rodríguez, Gonzalo (September 2, 2021). "VIDEO: Panameño Alberto Baldonado poncha a su primer bateador en la MLB tras 11 años en las menores" (in Spanish). FanSided. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "Nationals outright high pitching prospect Steven Fuentes, two others". MSN.
  13. ^ "Alberto Baldonado - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "Alberto Baldonado: Signing with NPB team". cbssports.com. June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  15. ^ "[Giants] Contract agreement with giant left-handed Bardonade "I will do my best in all the games I pitch" WBC Panama National Team". yahoo.co.jp. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  16. ^ https://twitter.com/GaijinBaseball/status/1728868632636309858 [bare URL]
  17. ^ "Panamá revela selección para el WBCQ". FEDEBEIS (in Spanish). September 28, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
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