The Toronto Blue Jays could lose out on Kyle Tucker this offseason, but one prospect could replace him.
Toronto has been interested in Tucker as he visited the Blue Jays’ spring training facility. Yet, Tucker has recently been predicted to sign elsewhere, which would be a tough blow for Toronto.
However, the Blue Jays could have a diamond in the rough in prospect Yohendrick Pinango. Pinango was surprisingly not protected for the Rule 5 Draft. Luckily, he wasn’t picked, and it appears to be great news for the Blue Jays.
Pinango will enter spring training looking to earn a roster spot, and he’s starting off on a good note. The slugging outfielder is playing in the Venezuelan Winter League and is absolutely raking, analyst Tobey Schulman shared.
“Yohendrick Pinango in the Venezuelan Winter League: 22 G 101 PA .353 AVG .424 OBP .694 SLG 1.118 OPS 7 HR 29 RBI 12/21 BB/K Pinango was left unprotected in this year’s Rule 5 Draft by Toronto but went unselected. 122 wRC+ between AA/AAA in 2025,” Schulman wrote on X.
If the Blue Jays lose out on Tucker, the chance for Pinango to earn a roster spot increases. Although he has to compete with the likes of Joey Loperfido and RJ Schreck for a fifth outfielder spot, his development is a major success story for Toronto.
Pinango Has ‘Raw Power’
Pinango signed with the Chicago Cubs for $400,000 out of Venezuela in 2018, as he wasn’t considered a top prospect.
The Blue Jays acquired Pinango and Josh Rivera from the Cubs for Nate Pearson in July of 2024. Pinango struggled in his first few months in Toronto’s organization, but in 2025, he thrived.
Pinango began the year in Double-A before reaching Triple-A and knocking on the door of a big league call-up. He hit .235 with 7 home runs and 47 RBIs in 84 games in Triple-A. Overall in 2025, the 23-year-old hit .258 with 15 home runs and 70 RBIs.
Since signing as an International Free Agent, Pinango has improved his skills at the plate, and MLB Pipeline believes there’s raw power to continue to develop.
“A left-handed hitter, Pinango displayed good bat-to-ball skills early in his career but would expand the zone too much in pursuit of contact, leading to rough power,” the article read. “His walk and chase rates have improved in recent years. By adjusting the base in his stance, he’s been able to keep the bat in the zone longer.
“His bat speed has impressed Jays officials early in 2025, and he uses it to turn on inside fastballs and better tap into his solid raw power. Though he still needs to prove that pop can regularly hold at the upper levels. One of his biggest improvements early this summer has been cutting down on harmless infield popups, thus giving himself a better shot at hits.”
Pinango is expected to be a corner outfielder when he reaches the majors.
Tucker Predicted to Spurn Blue Jays
Tucker is the top free agent available, and Toronto has shown interest in him.
Yet, despite the very public interest, MLB insider and analyst Aailyan Mohammed of Newsweek predicted Tucker will spurn Toronto for the Mets.
“Steve Cohen and the Mets are not going to go an entire offseason watching star free agents sign with other teams,” Mohammed wrote. “The Mets still have Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, and are not in a position to go into a rebuild. They get back to their spending ways by outbidding the Blue Jays by $30 million. Creating a core of Soto, Lindor and Tucker for years to come. Prediction: Tucker signs with the Mets on an 11-year, $430 million deal after Blue Jays offer 11-year, $400 million.”
If the Blue Jays lose out on Tucker, it would be a tough blow for the team.
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