30 Facts About Vinnie Pasquantino

Early Life and College Career

Vinnie Pasquantino's journey to the MLB began in Virginia, where he developed his skills and passion for baseball.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on October 10, 1997, in Richmond, Virginia, Vinnie grew up in Midlothian, where he attended James River High School.

2. College Baseball: He enrolled at Old Dominion University in 2016, playing for the Old Dominion Monarchs. His final year saw him hit .309, showcasing his potential.

3. Cape Cod Baseball League: In 2018, Vinnie played summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, further honing his skills.

Professional Beginnings

Pasquantino's professional career started with a late-round draft pick, but his talent quickly became evident.

4. Draft Selection: The Kansas City Royals selected him in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB draft, recognizing his potential despite the late pick.

5. Professional Debut: Vinnie debuted in 2019 with the Rookie-level Burlington Royals, batting .294 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs over 57 games.

6. Minor League Career: His minor league journey saw steady improvement, starting with the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits and moving to the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Over 116 games, he slashed .300/.394/.563 with 24 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 37 doubles.

Rise to the Major Leagues

Vinnie's performance in the minors earned him a promotion to the big leagues, where he quickly made an impact.

7. Promotion to Triple-A: In 2022, he started with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, catching the Royals' attention as they sought a replacement for Carlos Santana.

8. MLB Debut: On June 28, 2022, Vinnie made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals, hitting .295 with a .383 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage in his first 72 games.

9. First MLB Hit: His first major league hit was a home run off Detroit Tigers starter Michael Pineda on July 1, 2022.

10. Second MLB Homer: Just ten days later, he hit his second career homer, again off Michael Pineda.

Achievements and Recognition

Pasquantino's talent didn't go unnoticed, earning him several accolades early in his career.

11. American League Player of the Week: In August 2022, he was named the American League player of the week for his outstanding performance from August 8 to 14, hitting .450.

12. 2022 Season Stats: In his rookie season, Vinnie played in 72 games, batting .295 with a .383 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage, hitting 10 home runs and driving in 34 runs.

Challenges and Injuries

Despite his success, Vinnie faced challenges, including injuries that impacted his performance.

13. 2023 Season: The 2023 season saw a slight dip in his performance, batting .247 with a .324 on-base percentage and .437 slugging percentage over 61 games.

14. Shoulder Injury: His sophomore campaign was cut short due to a shoulder injury, requiring surgery and raising concerns about his long-term health.

Skills and Potential

Vinnie's skills, particularly his hitting prowess, have been a significant part of his success.

15. Defensive Abilities: While known for his hitting, his defensive skills are debated. Compared to Nick Pratto, he is not seen as a liability at first base and might improve over time.

16. Exit Velocity and Barrel Rate: His average exit velocity of 91.2 MPH ranked 35th in baseball among hitters with 200 or more batted ball events, placing him alongside notable players like Salvador Perez and Freddie Freeman.

17. Home Run Potential: Despite not being a traditional power hitter, Vinnie has shown significant home run potential, with a career minor league ISO of .277.

Financial Prospects and Comparisons

Vinnie's performance has led to speculation about his future contracts and comparisons to other players.

18. Contract Worth: If he continues performing at an elite level, he could potentially sign a long-term deal worth around $27 million over six years, similar to Josh Bell's arbitration contract.

19. Comparison to Freddie Freeman: His 2022 season was compared to Freddie Freeman's age-24 season, highlighting Vinnie's potential for future growth.

Career Statistics

Vinnie's career statistics reflect his consistent performance and potential for future success.

20. Career Minor League Stats: In his minor league career, he has a batting average of .292, with 56 home runs and 207 RBIs over 912 at-bats.

21. MLB Career Stats: As of the end of the 2023 season, his MLB career statistics include a batting average of .267, 38 home runs, and 149 RBIs over 985 at-bats.

22. 2024 Season: The 2024 season saw him continue his strong hitting form, playing in 496 games, batting .262 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs as of August 31, 2024.

Current Status and Future Prospects

Vinnie's current status and future prospects remain promising despite recent challenges.

23. Injury Status: Currently on the 10-day injured list, his injury has impacted his performance in the 2024 season, raising concerns about his availability.

24. Team Transactions: Throughout his career, Vinnie has been involved in several team transactions, including assignments to various minor league teams before his promotion to the major leagues.

Awards and Recognition

Vinnie's talent has earned him several awards and recognitions throughout his career.

25. Awards and Recognition: He was named the American League player of the week in August 2022 and has been an All-Star in the minor leagues.

26. Player of the Month: In August 2019, he was named the Minor League Baseball player of the month for his performance with the Burlington Royals.

27. Player of the Week: Vinnie has been named player of the week multiple times in his minor league career, including in June 2021 with the Quad Cities River Bandits and in May 2022 with the Omaha Storm Chasers.

Unique Career Path

Unlike many top prospects, Vinnie's journey to the big leagues is a testament to his hard work and dedication.

28. Career Path: He was never listed on MLB Pipeline or Fangraphs' prospect lists, making his rise to the big leagues unique.

29. Batting Average Fluctuation: His batting average has fluctuated throughout his career, ranging from .309 in college to .247 in 2023, typical for players with high power potential but lower contact skills.

30. Future Prospects: Despite challenges in 2023, Vinnie remains one of the top hitters in the league, with his power and consistent performance making him a valuable asset to the Kansas City Royals.

Vinnie Pasquantino: A Rising Star

Vinnie Pasquantino's journey from a late-round draft pick to a key player for the Kansas City Royals is nothing short of inspiring. Born in Richmond, Virginia, and honed at Old Dominion University, Vinnie has shown that hard work and perseverance pay off. His impressive minor league stats and rapid rise to the majors highlight his potential. Despite a shoulder injury in 2023, he continues to be a valuable asset, with strong exit velocity and home run potential. Named the American League player of the week in August 2022, Vinnie has proven he can compete at the highest level. His future looks bright, and Royals fans have much to look forward to. Whether it's his power at the plate or his steady improvement, Vinnie Pasquantino is a name to watch in baseball.