Yohan Pino

Yohan Jose Pino Alana

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• High School U.E. Ramon Bastidas
• Debut June 19, 2014
• Final Game June 19, 2015
• Born December 26, 1983 in Turmero, Aragua Venezuela

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Biographical Information

Yohan Pino made his major league debut in 2014 at the age of 30.

Pino signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2004. He dominated for the DSL Twins that year, going 10-1 with a 0.53 ERA. He allowed only 49 hits in 85 2/3 IP while walking just five. He lost the Dominican Summer League ERA title by .02 to Cuban veteran Raul Valdes and was also one win shy of the lead. He was named the All-Star left-handed pitcher and beat out Valdes as the Most Valuable Pitcher.

Yohan remained sharp in his stateside debut with the 2005 Elizabethton Twins, going 9-2 with a 3.72 ERA. He was 8th in the Appalachian League in ERA and paced the circuit in victories to help the team take the Appy pennant. In 2006, the right-hander went 14-2 with 3 saves and a 1.92 ERA for the Beloit Snappers. He allowed a .198 average, fanned 99 and walked just 20 in 94 innings. Despite being used predominately in relief, he led Twins farmhands in wins and tied Burke Badenhop for the Midwest League lead. Had he qualified, he would have edged Steve Marek for the MWL ERA title. Pino was now 33-5 in Organized Baseball.

Yohan starred for the Tigres de Aragua in the 2007 Caribbean Series, tossing 7 1/3 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and only 3 hits allowed. He did not get a decision.

Pino split 2007 between the Fort Myers Miracle (4-3, 1.73) and New Britain Rock Cats (2-4, 5.13), for his first season under .500. He did throw a no-hitter. He then threw 3 1/3 shutout innings for Aragua in the 2008 Caribbean Series to continue his dominance in that event. In '08, the right-hander was 7-7 with a 4.54 ERA for New Britain and missed almost a month with shoulder problems. He gave up 7 hits and 3 runs in 2 2/3 IP in the 2009 Caribbean Series, a far cry from his prior two Series; this time, though, the Tigres took the Series title.

Yohan began 2009 with the Rochester Red Wings and went 2-2 with a 2.82 ERA. He was then dealt to the Cleveland Indians as a player to be named later in the Carl Pavano trade. He allowed two runs in 14 innings and won both of his starts for the Columbus Clippers after the trade. Overall, he had a career 50-21 record as a pro, down from his first three years but still impressive.

When he made his first major league appearance back with the Minnesota Twins on June 19, 2014, he became the second 30-year-old (or older) rookie to make his major league debut in 2014, after 32-year-old Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Jarrett Grube. After being the loser in his first two decisions, he picked up his first career win on July 10th, when he defeated the Seattle Mariners, 4-2, pitching five innings. Ironically, he was sent down to the minors after the game to make room for Kris Johnson, who was slated to start the next day's game, while Pino would not have had a chance to pitch again until after the All-Star break.

Pino became a coach with DSL Miami in 2022-2024.

Primary Sources: 2009 Twins Media Guide, 2005-2009 Baseball Almanacs, mlb.com

Related Sites

• Yohan Pino on mlb.com