IronBirds Player Profile: Elias Pinales

What's up IronBirds nation? We have just five days before the IronBirds take on the reigning NYPL champions, the Hudson Valley Renegades, in the season opener! As the excitement surrounding the IronBirds upcoming season grows, we will be taking a look at LHP Elias Pinales for IBN's 6th edition of IronBirds player profiles right here on the Aberdeen Patch!

Elias Pinales is a young prospect that has a lot of potential on the IronBirds pitching staff in 2013, and IronBirds fans should look for Pinales to build on his strong 2012 campaign. The 20-year-old southpaw is a native of Bajo de Haini, DR, and was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as a non-drafted FA in August 2010.

In his first year with the Orioles organization in 2011, Pinales played for the DSL Orioles in the Dominican Summer League and showed the organization early signs of potential despite being just 18 years old. In 11 games (8 starts), the young lefty went 0-3 with a 5.23 ERA with 26 Strikeouts in 31 Innings, while posting a 7.5 K/9. Opposing hitters hit just .205 against Pinales in 2011, and he didn't allow a single HR all season.

In 2012, Pinales returned to the DSL for the start of the season, but after 5 starts in which he went 1-1 with a 5.85 ERA with 22 Strikeouts in 20 Innings, Pinales was called up to the Orioles of the Gulf Coast League in July 2012.

Pinales made an immediate impact with the GCL Orioles after his call-up, posting a 2-3 record with a stellar 2.48 ERA, the lowest ERA on the team among regular starters. The 6-4 Dominican also tied for 3rd on the team with 36.1 IP while recording 33 K's in the process. Pinales also registered a solid 8.2 K/9, an impressive 1.07 WHIP, while holding opposing hitters to a .233 AVG. He then received a brief call-up to Aberdeen in late August and pitched in 3 games out of the bullpen for the IronBirds, allowing 6 runs in 5.2 IP, while recording 9 K's.

Between all three teams Pinales played for in 2012, Pinales finished the season with a 3-4 record and a 4.21 ERA in 16 games (12 starts). The Left-Handed Pitcher also racked up 64 Strikeouts in 62 IP, good for an impressive 9.3 K/9 with a solid 1.29 WHIP, while also holding opposing hitters to a .248 AVG. Worth noting, Pinales dramatically lowered his BB/9 to 3.2 in 2012, down from an inflated 8.4 BB/9 in 2011.

Outlook: Elias Pinales is a promising prospect, and if he builds onto his 2012 success this upcoming season, O's fans will be keeping an eye on Pinales in 2013 and beyond. The 6-4, 155 pound southpaw has a great fastball that is consistently in the mid-90's, topping out at 95 MPH, with a decent change-up. Keep in mind, Pinales is just 20 years old and is still a raw prospect, but if he can develop a decent breaking ball and improve his technique on the mound with experience, Pinales will have a bright future as a starter, and will be a name to keep track of in the future.

That's it IronBirds Nation! It's been fun, and I hope you enjoyed today's edition of IronBirds player profiles on the Patch!!! Be sure to stay posted at the Patch and at IBN for the latest news and articles on your Aberdeen IronBirds!!! Until next time, take it easy IronBirds Nation!

                                                           - Logan Q.

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