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]
Chicago Cubs
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 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]
Washington Nationals
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 63+1⁄3 innings pitched.[13] He returned to Rochester in 2023, pitching in 29 contests and logging a 3.03 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 29+2⁄33 innings of work. On June 20, 2023, Baldonado was released by the Nationals organization to pursue an opportunity in Japan.[14]
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