Robinson Pina

Position: RHSP
Level: Rk
Affiliate: Orem Owlz
League: Pioneer League
Born: 11/26/1998 (Age: 25)
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 180
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Signed as international free agent February 15, 2017 (LAA)

Prospect Spotlight

Pina signed with the Angels in 2017 as an IFA out of the Dominican Republic and finished the 2018 season with the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League. Pina has shown tremendous improvement from his 2017 campaign, finishing the 2018 season with 61 strikeouts and 19 walks over 44 innings and a 1.27 WHIP.

A high waist and long extremities form Pina’s long and wiry 6-foot-four frame. His body type is the classic, highly projectable pitcher’s body with strong potential to add size, strength, and velocity as he matures. Pina uses his long levers to create elite extension that, coupled with high spin, gives his 89-to-92 mph fastball ride at the top of the zone and appears faster than face value to hitters. His fastball command has been streaky, but he’s shown consistent improvement through the season. His breaking ball is a slurvy curveball that flutters between 78-to-83 mph showing 1-to-7 and 12-to-6 shape with late downer action. At times, he gets on the side of the breaking ball and it loses depth. Overall, he has decent feel for the pitch and has shown an ability to throw it as both a strike and chase pitch. His changeup is still developing. Sitting as a firm offering between 86-to-89 mph, Pina’s command and movement of the pitch is inconsistent but occasionally shows late, sinking action that he has had some success with against lefties. A consistent arm action gives the pitch potential but is unlikely to develop as quickly or be as effective as his primary weapons.

Pina is an interesting athlete whose projectable physical attributes alone make him worth keeping an eye on. If he continues to grow into his body and develops a consistent command of his repertoire, he has the potential to become a middle relief option in the big leagues.