MACK - Top 28 Prospects - #19 - RHRP/SP - Jonathan Pintaro

 

The excitement about the Mets' prospect pipeline has been building year over year as the team improves their domestic and international scouting.  Many of the Mets' picks are being discussed throughout baseball, so Mack has boiled it down to the top 28 to give the readers a glimpse into the team's future.  This series will run for 28 days, counting down from #28 to #1.  The entire list can be viewed by clicking "2026 Top 28 Prospects" on the top menu bar.

19.    Jonathan Pintaro

GROK –

Jonathan Pintaro is a right-handed relief pitcher (primarily used in multi-inning or bullpen roles) for the New York Mets.

Born November 7, 1997 (he's 28 years old as of January 2026), he's a 6'2", 235 lb pitcher from Pelham, Alabama.

He had an unconventional path to the majors: undrafted out of Division II Shorter University, he pitched in independent ball (Pioneer League with the Glacier Range Riders) before signing a minor league deal with the Mets in June 2024.

He debuted in the MLB on June 25, 2025, against the Atlanta Braves, pitching in relief (got two outs but allowed two runs).

Scouts and reports highlight his cutter as his standout pitch—rated as plus by some, used effectively for strikeouts (e.g., his first MLB K came via cutter).

From scouting reports (e.g., Baseball America), his repertoire includes:

Fastball — graded around average (50), typically in the mid-90s.

Cutter — his best offering (graded 55), plus pitch with good movement.

Slider — average (50), potentially a sweeper variant in some contexts.

Changeup — average (50), helps against lefties but he's had some struggles vs. LHH overall (.305 AVG allowed in minors).

Control graded around average (50).

He's viewed as a depth arm or swingman type, ranked as high as the Mets' No. 22 prospect earlier but noted in recent prospect lists (e.g., Baseball America 2026 Mets top 30) around No. 23.

Struggles vs. left-handed hitters have been noted (.305 AVG, .929 OPS allowed across levels), while he dominates righties more effectively.

His story is one of perseverance—from indie ball to MLB call-up in under 13 months.

 

11-7-2025

Just Baseball

https://www.justbaseball.com/prospects/new-york-mets-top-15-prospects/  

Jonathan Pintaro – RHP – (MLB): Pintaro went undrafted out of Division II Shorter University in 2022, pitching in the Pioneer League until he garnered the attention of the Mets.

Pintaro ripped through High-A and Double-A in his first affiliated season, making one start at the Triple-A level at the end of the year. Pintaro was utilized somewhat as a swingman between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, regressing in the run prevention department, but continuing to strike out batters in droves (29% strikeout rate).

It’s a hard and harder approach with a fastball and sinker in the mid 90s and a cutter in the low 90s leading the way along with a changeup that he will mix in. Pintaro has the stuff to be a middle relief option if he can cut down on the free passes.