Danny Pinero

What they’re saying: "The question we had about him last year was that he projected as a corner guy, but was there enough power to make the move? He has answered that since the season opener." ... Will be drafted, projects as utility man ... 7 Ds, T, 6 HRs, 28 RBIs ... .312, .862 OPS in 52 Gs, 6-for-8 SBs ... Last spring: 6 Ds, 22 RBIs, .274, .658 OPS in 42 G, 10-for-13 SBs ... Draft eligible due to age ... Selected in 20th round (2013) by Astros ... Faced Maryland in Super Regional, opposing SS, cleanup was Jose Cuas drafted by Jays in 2012 ... Drafted by the Astros in 2013 (20th).

On other lists

Ranked 260th on Baseball America's top 500.

Listed 375th on Perfect Game's top 500 combined list of HSers and collegians.

Ranked 5th on PGs's top 125 college players in Virginia.

Eighth on Perfect Game's top prospects from Virginia.

Ninth on Baseball America's top 56 prospects from Virginia.

70th on PG top sophomores.

4th on Perfect Game USA's top Canadians in college list.

Baseball America, 260

Scouting Report:

Pinero was a 20th-round selection of the Astros in 2013, and quickly began to develop his tools in his second year at Virginia. Pinero’s game lacks explosiveness, but he has a chance to be fringe-average or better in every phase of the game. Pinero is a physical specimen, standing at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, and he shows surprising foot speed at shortstop. Pinero doesn’t quite have the body control or arm strength to be an everyday shortstop in pro ball (and there has never been a 6-foot-5 everyday shortstop in big league history), but he is a well-coordinated athlete and shows the potential for average range, so he could develop into a solid utility infielder. At the plate, Pinero has a sharp downhill swing plane that allows him to generate backspin on pitches anywhere in the strike zone when he makes contact. Pinero’s strike zone discipline improved significantly throughout his sophomore season, and he also showed over-the-fence power to his pull side. Pinero is a Toronto native, and a graduate of the Ontario Blue Jays club team.

Perfect Game

375. Daniel Pinero, ss/3b, Virginia (SO)
R-R, 6-6/210, Toronto, Ontario
Previously Drafted: Astros ‘13 (20)

Pinero has been a well-known prospect dating back to his high school days when he starred for the Canadian Junior National Team at the 18u level. Although he was drafted out of high school, Pinero elected to attend Virginia where he’s been the starting shortstop since he stepped foot on campus. At 6-foot-6, he’s taller than the traditional pro shortstop and most believe he’ll end up playing third base at the next level. Regardless, not only is he a solid athlete, but Pinero has a polished approach at the plate, and this season he has begun to tap into his strength and raw power more consistently. He still has two years of college eligibility remaining but he offers organizations an intriguing, projectable package.