February 7, 2023

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans have signed right-handed pitcher Erasmo Pinales and infielder Justin Thompson for the upcoming 2023 Frontier League season.

Both were acquired in a trade on October 26 from the American Association’s Winnipeg Goldeyes for left-handed pitcher Tyler Jandron.

Pinales, 28, will look to play a major part of the Titans’ pitching staff following a return to professional baseball in 2022. For the Goldeyes, Pinales pitched 45 times out of the bullpen and went 2-5 with a 4.14 ERA over 41 1/3 innings. The right-hander struck out 57, which was good enough for a 12.4 SO/9.

A product of La Vega, Dominican Republic, Pinales heads into his ninth season of professional baseball and has a lifetime 3.39 ERA in 169 appearances (142 in relief). Originally signed as an international free agent by the Houston Astros in 2013, he reached double-A twice in his career. After a release from the Astros, Pinales signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks before the season was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Thompson, 24, joins the fold after posting a .178 average with three homers and 16 RBIs in his first season of professional baseball. Signed by the Goldeyes mid-season in 2022, Thompson provides depth to the infield with experience playing second, third, and shortstop.

The Plano, Texas native played three seasons of college baseball at Texas State University from 2020-2022. The 6-foot-1 infielder hit a combined .293 with 14 home runs and 87 RBIs in 133 games for the Bobcats.