Josmil Pinto signs with Giants

The Brewers have continued to re-make their roster this off-season, and one of the casualties was former Twin and Brewer catcher Josmil Pinto. As reported in MLB Trade Rumors, Pinto will have a minor league job in the San Francisco Giants system for 2017. Pinto will be 28 next season.

The Brewers recently added Jett Bandy from the Angels as part of the return for Martin Maldonado, and during the season added Andrew Susac in the Will Smith deal with San Francisco, while sending Jonathan Lucroy to Texas. Susac and Bandy will join Manny Pina in contending for two positions on the 25 man roster this spring - unless the Brewers decide to go with that controversial 3 catcher plan in ‘17.

Pinto had a cup of coffee as a September call-up with Milwaukee last year, only accumulating 6 plate appearances. He walked once, and scored a run. He had 280 plate appearances with the Twins in 2014-15, collecting 11 homers and a slash of .257/.339/.445 for an OPS of .784. In 11 minor league seasons, Pinto has slashed .274/.349/.442 for an OPS of .791. He’ll essentially fill the void left by Andrew Susac’s departure from the Giants system; AAA depth/backup to perhaps the best catcher in baseball, Buster Posey.

It would appear that the Brewers are done with moves regarding the catcher position going into 2017, although if we have learned anything it is that David Stearns is always looking to improve the 40 man roster and the minor league system. My guess is that Susac will get a full, extended shot at being the full time catcher this season.

Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference