NEW YORK -- Late last spring, Jonathan Pintaro was pitching for the Glacier Range Riders in Kalispell, Mont., when he was pulled midgame. A Mets scout in attendance had been dispatched to the independent Pioneer League to watch the right-hander throw. It took all of two innings for the scout to confirm his suspicions and sign Pintaro on the spot.
Less than 13 months later, the 27-year-old Pintaro arrived in Queens on the latest revolution of the Mets’ bullpen carousel. The team called up him with left-hander Brandon Waddell on Wednesday, while designating veteran lefties José Castillo and Richard Lovelady for assignment.
These sorts of bullpen migrations have been happening on a near-daily basis for the Mets, who have yet to find a sustainable mix. But Pintaro comes from a different background.
The Mets’ No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, he is an undrafted free agent who spent six years at Division II Shorter University, followed by stints in the Major League Draft League and the Pioneer League. That’s where longtime Mets scout Jaymie Bane first identified him as a potential big leaguer.
"It’s been unreal,” Pintaro said of his journey. “It’s been a dream come true.”
Earlier this week, the Mets had promoted Pintaro from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Syracuse, rewarding him for an 11-start run that saw him produce a 3.40 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings. He never made it into a game there.
Instead, after the Mets used their bullpen heavily in Tuesday's loss to the Braves, Pintaro received a late-night summons to New York for his Major League debut.
"Pretty cool story, right?” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I think this is an organizational win.”
Although Pintaro has served almost exclusively as a starting pitcher since joining the Mets organization, he’s worked mostly in chunks of three to five innings. Rival scouts have identified him as a pitcher who could potentially help more as a multi-inning reliever, which is the role he’ll assume in New York.
Pintaro’s best pitch is his cutter, which one scout rated as plus. He also leans heavily on a sinker and sweeper, as well as an upper-90s four-seam fastball and a changeup. He boasts a deceptive delivery with “some funk,” according to a second scout.
"This is a kid that continues to get people out,” Mendoza said.
Shortly after Pintaro arrived in the Mets’ clubhouse Wednesday, outfielder Juan Soto approached him to introduce himself and offer some encouragement.
"He just said that they’re here for me, and we’re here to win,” Pintaro said. “So let’s go do that.”