Return is double-A infielder Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Pinango, sources tell me and @ArdenZwelling
Getting to know Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Piñango, the two prospects the Blue Jays acquired in the Nate Pearson trade
Photo credit: © Chloe Trofatter - South Bend Tribune/USA Today
Jul 27, 2024, 14:15 EDTUpdated: Jul 27, 2024, 14:11 EDT
Who doesn’t love more trades?
The sell off continued, as the Blue Jays made a surprising trade, trading Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Piñango.
Starting with Piñango, the 22-year-old most recently played for the Cubs Double-A after spending parts of four seasons with their High-A team. To start the year, he slashed .340/.451/.610 with five home runs in 122 plate appearances, along with a higher BB% (16.4%) than K% (12.3%) with the Cubs’ High-A team.
Piñango earned a promotion to Double-A, where he has slashed .223/.316/.345 with four homers in 225 plate appearances, along with an 11.1 BB% and a 20.9 K% for a 99 wRC+. The left-handed batting outfielder is Rule 5 eligible at the end of the season.
Moreover, Piñango ranked as the Cubs’ 29th-best prospect heading into the season according to MLB Pipeline. Of note is his bat-to-ball skills, described as “some of the best in the organization”, so you know the Jays will love him. In recent times, the 22-year-old’s swing decisions have improved as well. He fits best in left field and could be a starter if he hits more home runs, but he profiles as a fourth outfielder.
Rivera is the better prospect acquired in the trade, as he was selected in the third-round of the 2023 draft. The right-handed batting outfielder has had a rough season in Double-A, as he’s slashing .169/.277/.260 with four home runs in 253 plate appearances, along with a 13 BB% and a 26.5 K% for a 67 wRC+.
2023 3rd round draft pick Josh Rivera hits his first High-A home run (a 2 run @hoosierlottery HR) to give the #SBCubs a 4-0 lead! #Cubs 428ft / 104 mph off the bat
Prior to the start of the season, before his Double-A struggles, Rivera ranked as the Cubs’ 23rd-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He was seen as a glove-first shortstop until his last season of college, where he hit 19 home runs and showed patience in his approach. Moreover, he hit the ball harder and could hit 15-20 home runs a season. Pipeline notes that he’ll likely end up “as an offensive-minded utilityman”.
Still, not a bad return for a struggling pitcher who is about to enter his second season of arbitration.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.