Yohendrick Pinango: How a Father’s Memory Fuels a Blue Jays Prospect’s Rise

  • Blue Jays outfielder Yohendrick Pinango carries the memory of his late father, Reyito, through a dedicated sleeve tattoo and a lifelong commitment to his father’s dream of him becoming a big-leaguer.
  • After losing his father at age six, Pinango was raised by his aunt Noris, who supported his baseball development and his eventual move to a professional academy at age 13.
  • Acquired by the Blue Jays in a 2024 trade with the Cubs, Pinango refined his swing mechanics during winter ball, leading to a breakout performance in the minors.
  • Pinango’s aggressive, “fearless” approach at the plate has drawn praise from manager John Schneider and hitting coach David Popkins, mirroring the playing style of his father.
  • Now in the major leagues, Pinango views his professional success as a way to honour his father’s legacy and continue the path they started together in Venezuela.

Read the full story here: https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-yohendrick-pinango-shaped-by-fathers-loss-fuelled-by-his-memory/