| Alberto Baldonado | |
| Team: | Yomiuri Giants |
| Number: | 49 |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | 1 February 1993 |
| 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: |
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Alberto Louis Baldonado (born February 1, 1993) is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals.
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.[1]
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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
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.
On July 30, 2019, Baldonado's contract was selected by the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7] Baldonado was released by the Nationals organization on May 29.[8]
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.[9] [10] 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.[11] 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.[12]
In 2022, Baldonado made 56 appearances for Triple–A Rochester, recording a 3.84 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 3 saves across innings pitched.[13] He returned to Rochester in 2023, pitching in 29 contests and logging a 3.03 ERA with 30 strikeouts in innings of work. On June 20, 2023, Baldonado was released by the Nationals organization to pursue an opportunity in Japan.[14]
On July 1, 2023, Baldonado signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[15] He re-signed a one-year contract for the 2024 season on November 26.[16]
Baldonado was selected to represent Panama at the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualification.[17]