Alberto Baldonado

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Alberto Baldonado

|image = Alberto Baldonado.jpg

|image_size = 250px

|caption = Baldonado with the Yomiuri Giants in 2024

|team = Yomiuri Giants

|number = 49

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|2|1}}

|birth_place = Colón, Panama

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 2

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Washington Nationals

|debut2league = NPB

|debut2date = July 15

|debut2year = 2023

|debut2team = Yomiuri Giants

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2021 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 0–1

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 8.44

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 12

|stat2league = NPB

|stat2year = 2024 season

|stat21label = Win–loss record

|stat21value = 4-4

|stat22label = Earned run average

|stat22value = 2.22

|stat23label = Strikeouts

|stat23value = 84

|teams =

Washington Nationals ({{mlby|2021}})
Yomiuri Giants ({{npby|2023}}–present)

}}

Alberto Louis Baldonado (born February 1, 1993) is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals.

Career

=New York Mets=

A native of Colón, Panama, Baldonado signed with the New York Mets as a non-drafted free agent in 2010 and was assigned to the Dominican Summer League Mets 1 team. Baldonado played for the GCL Mets in 2011, posting a 3.71 ERA in 11 games. Baldonado spent the ensuing two seasons with the rookie-level Kingsport Mets, posting a 6.75 ERA in 6 games (2012) and a 3.94 ERA in 14 games (2013). In 2014, he played for the Low-A Brooklyn Cyclones, working to a 3–4 record and 4.34 ERA in 12 contests. Baldonado spent the following year with the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats, working to an excellent 1.91 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 56.2 innings pitched across 38 appearances. He split the 2016 season with the High-A St. Lucie Mets and the Double-A Binghamton Mets, logging a cumulative 3.77 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 47 total appearances. In 2017, Baldonado played for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, accumulating a 4.80 ERA in 50 appearances between the two affiliates. On November 6, 2017, Baldonado became a minor league free agent, at age 24.{{cite news|url=http://metsminors.net/cubs-sign-alberto-baldonado/|title=Cubs Sign Alberto Baldonado|first=Michael|last=Mayer|agency=MetsMinors.net|date=December 8, 2017|accessdate=September 1, 2021}}

=Chicago Cubs=

On December 11, 2017, Baldonado signed a minor league deal that included an invitation to major league spring training with the Chicago Cubs for the 2018 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2018/01/25/cubs-sign-former-mets-relief-prospect-alberto-baldonado-to-a-minor-league-deal/|agency=Bleacher Nation|title=Cubs Sign Former Mets Relief Prospect Alberto Baldonado to a Minor League Deal|first=Michael|last=Cerami|date=January 25, 2018|accessdate=September 1, 2021}} He spent the season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star after pitching to a 4.88 ERA in 37 games.{{cite news|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/lefty-baldonado-tabbed-pcl-all-star/n-5358676|agency=Our Sports Central|title=Lefty Baldonado Tabbed PCL All-Star|date=June 28, 2018|accessdate=September 1, 2021}} Baldonado started the 2019 season with Triple-A Iowa as well, but he was released on May 17, 2019, after posting a 3.38 ERA over eight games.{{cite news|url=https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/22/18636634/chicago-cubs-minor-league-wrap-ian-happ-adbert-alzolay-oscar-de-la-cruz-vimael-machin|agency=Bleed Cubbie Blue|title=Chicago Cubs Minor League Wrap: May 22|first=Josh|last=Timmers|date=May 22, 2019|accessdate=September 1, 2021}}

=High Point Rockers=

On June 16, 2019, Baldonado latched on with the High Point Rockers of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, for whom he pitched in 13 games, recording a 1.98 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 13 contests.

=Sultanes de Monterrey=

On July 30, 2019, Baldonado's contract was selected by the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.{{cite news|url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/news/index.html?article_id=1251|agency=Atlantic League|title=Baldonado Has Contract Purchased by Sultanes de Monterrey|date=July 31, 2019|accessdate=September 1, 2021}} With Monterrey, Baldonado worked to a 1.59 ERA in 12 appearances to close out the year. On January 21, 2020, Baldonado elected free agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/alberto-baldonado-593604|title=Alberto Baldonado Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}}

=Washington Nationals=

On February 7, 2020, Baldonado signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. Baldonado did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=2020-06-30 |title=2020 Minor League Season Canceled |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/2020-minor-league-season-will-be-canceled.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Baldonado was released by the Nationals organization on May 29.{{Cite web |last=Hilburn-Trenkle |first=Chris |date=3 June 2020 |title=Minor League Transactions: April 1-June 1, 2020 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-april-1-june-1-2020/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Baseball America}}

On January 6, 2021, Baldonado re-signed with the Nationals on a new minor league contract. He began the 2021 season with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, progressing then to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. After putting up a 2.88 ERA across the two levels, Baldonado had his contract selected September 1, and was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite news|url=https://curlyw.mlblogs.com/nationals-reinstate-alex-avila-and-select-alberto-maldonado-8787e85a813|agency=Curly W Live|title=Nationals reinstate Alex Avila and select Alberto Maldonado|date=September 1, 2021|accessdate=September 1, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=2021-09-01 |title=Nationals Select Alberto Baldonado |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/nationals-select-alberto-baldonado.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Baldonado made his major league debut against the Philadelphia Phillies on September 2, pitching a scoreless inning of relief. He struck out the first batter he faced, Matt Vierling, as well as the fourth, Bryce Harper.{{cite news|url=https://fansided.com/es/posts/video-alberto-baldonado-poncha-primer-bateador-mlb-11-anos-menores|agency=FanSided|title=VIDEO: Panameño Alberto Baldonado poncha a su primer bateador en la MLB tras 11 años en las menores|first=Gonzalo|last=Rodríguez|date=September 2, 2021|accessdate=September 2, 2021|language=Spanish}} Baldonado finished his rookie campaign with an 8.44 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 14 major league games. On October 13, Baldonado was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=2021-10-13 |title=Nationals Outright Three Players |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/nationals-outright-three-players.html |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

In 2022, Baldonado made 56 appearances for Triple–A Rochester, recording a 3.84 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 3 saves across {{fraction|63|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Alberto Baldonado - Stats - Pitching|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/alberto-baldonado/11812/stats?position=P|access-date=June 20, 2023|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} He returned to Rochester in 2023, pitching in 29 contests and logging a 3.03 ERA with 30 strikeouts in {{fraction|29|2|33}} innings of work. On June 20, 2023, Baldonado was released by the Nationals organization to pursue an opportunity in Japan.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2023 |title=Alberto Baldonado: Signing with NPB team |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/alberto-baldonado-signing-with-npb-team/ |access-date=June 20, 2023 |website=cbssports.com |language=en |agency=RotoWire}}

=Yomiuri Giants=

On July 1, 2023, Baldonado signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).{{Cite web|title=[Giants] Contract agreement with giant left-handed Bardonade "I will do my best in all the games I pitch" WBC Panama National Team|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/743f9b69c8d90fd39ac913c26b10b717941c2c10|access-date=July 4, 2023|website=yahoo.co.jp|language=en|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705074147/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/743f9b69c8d90fd39ac913c26b10b717941c2c10|url-status=dead}} He re-signed a one-year contract for the 2024 season on November 26.{{Cite tweet |number=1728868632636309858 |user=GaijinBaseball |title=Alberto Baldonado, Yohander Mendez & Foster Griffin will remain with the Yomiuri Giants next season. Meanwhile Tyler Beede, Lewis Brinson & Yoan Lopez's statuses are up in the air. Griffin was the most valuable foreign player in NPB last year, putting up 4.1 WAR. |date=2023-11-26 |access-date=2024-11-19}}

International career

Baldonado was selected to represent Panama at the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualification.{{cite web|title=Panamá revela selección para el WBCQ|url=https://fedebeis.com.pa/panama-revela-seleccion-para-el-wbcq/|website=FEDEBEIS|date=September 28, 2022|access-date=October 13, 2022|language=es}}