Orlando Andres Ribalta (born March 5, 1998) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Orlando Ribalta
Ribalta with the Washington Nationals in 2024
Washington Nationals – No. 64
Pitcher
Born: (1998-03-05) March 5, 1998 (age 26)
Santa Clara, Cuba
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 13, 2024, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
(through September 1, 2024)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average13.50
Strikeouts3
Teams

Career

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Ribalta was drafted in the 12th round, with the 363rd overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Nationals. Ribalta did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

Ribalta returned to action in 2021 with the rookie–level Florida Complex League Nationals, posting a 4.24 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 2 saves over 17 innings pitched.[3] He split the 2022 season between the Single–A Fredericksburg Nationals and High–A Wilmington Blue Rocks, recording a cumulative 3.40 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 2 saves across 50+13 innings of work.[4]

Ribalta split the 2023 campaign between the FCL Nationals, Fredericksburg, Wilmington, the Double–A Harrisburg Senators, and Triple–A Rochester Red Wings. In 27 games split between the five affiliates, he accumulated a 4–1 record and 3.89 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 2 saves across 34+23 innings pitched.[5] Ribalta began the 2024 season with Harrisburg, logging a 1.00 ERA in 16 games before he was promoted to Rochester. In 25 appearances out of the bullpen for Rochester, he compiled a 4–1 record and 3.62 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 27+13 innings pitched.[6]

On August 13, 2024, Ribalta was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "2019 Washington Nationals Draft Class". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  2. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Orlando Ribalta Player Card". baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  4. ^ "Orlando Ribalta Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "Orlando Ribalta - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "Nationals To Select Orlando Ribalta". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "Nationals Designate Harold Ramírez, Jordan Weems For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
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