Rays pleased to ‘see a different Rene Pinto’ behind home plate
PORT CHARLOTTE — Ryan Pepiot invited Rene Pinto out to dinner a few weeks ago at Prime Serious Steak, one of the better restaurants near the team’s spring training site.
The new Rays pitcher figured it would be a good way to get to better know Pinto, the 27-year-old Venezuelan the team is banking on heavily in deeming him its primary catcher.
That Pinto came through the Rays system with a reputation for being shy and quiet was news to Pepiot.
“You spend a bunch of time on the field together, so it’s nice to get to know him as a guy,” Pepiot said. “He might be the nicest guy I think I’ve ever met.
“Literally, I think we sat at dinner for like an hour before the waitress was like, ‘All right, do you guys actually want to eat food or are you just talking?’ (We discussed) anything and everything. Family stuff, baseball, whatever. It was everything, but it was good.”
The Rays have felt for a few years that Pinto, who had short stints in the majors in 2022-23, could handle the physical aspects of being the starter — catching and blocking even the most dastardly and darting pitches, and firing his own strikes to the bases.
But there were some areas they had concerns about, all relative to leadership — being assertive in calling pitches, taking charge in relationships with the pitchers and carrying himself with confidence.
And from what they’ve heard and seen this spring, he has properly stepped up his game.
“He’s been just improving in every aspect,” said Rays field coordinator and catching coach Tomas Francisco. “He’s been talking a lot more with the pitchers. Keep creating those relationships — that was his goal at the beginning of the spring. And it’s been going really well.”
Francisco said the hurdles are necessary ones Pinto has to overcome.
“He is quiet, but that’s definitely something that he’s got to get out of his shell and just be a leader,” Francisco said. “That’s what we are expecting him to be. …
“He’s definitely walking around a little different. And that’s good. That’s something that he’s trying to do, and he’s been getting better at it. It’s good to see a different Pinto.”
Pinto, who signed on Oct. 2, 2013, has been in the Rays organization longer than any other current player. So, to say he has been waiting for this opportunity is obvious.
“I’m excited for it,” Pinto said. “And waiting for opening day.”
The Rays are convinced Pinto is ready.
Not only did they not pursue a frontline catcher this winter after letting go of last year’s main receivers, Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia (who has since returned on a minor-league deal), they haven’t opted for an experienced backup. Alex Jackson, who has made only 47 career big-league starts, seemingly is in line for that job.
And unlike some years where they saw catching as a job to be shared, the Rays are talking about having Pinto carry a heavy load, perhaps in the 100-game range.
Rays pitchers like what they’ve seen.
Pepiot noted that Pinto presents “a great target” and worked on a cue for when a deep breath is needed on the mound. Closer Pete Fairbanks said, “Pinto cares.” Opening-day starter Zach Eflin lavished high praise, with a comparison to Phillies and former Marlins All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.
“Last year, (Pinto) came in pretty quiet and it took him a couple of weeks to start talking,” said Eflin, a former Phillie. “Once he started talking, you could see his personality and his will to want to get better and want to learn the game and want to be on the same page as the pitchers.
“He’s done that the entire offseason leading, up into spring. He’s been a great communicator. And he’s just a great backstop. You love throwing to a guy like that, who’s smart and always wants to be on the same page as you with conviction. He reminds me a lot of J.T. So he’s a lot of fun to throw to.”
Offensive production is another area the Rays hope Pinto can address, noting he hit .252 with six homers, 16 RBIs and a .723 OPS in 38 games last year after a .213-2-10-.566 performance in 25 games in 2022.
Manager Kevin Cash, a former catcher, said the staff feels Pinto can do a lot well.
“He’s got game-changing defensive skills with the way he works with pitchers. The way he catches the ball, and his arm strength allows him to do stuff like (picking off runners). We’re going to pick up some outs on the bases because of him.
“He’s had a good spring, no doubt. He’s gotten that much more confident with the group that he’s going to be working with. And we’ll get his bat going.”
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