Len Picota

Lenin Alberto Picota (born July 23, 1966 in Panama) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played two seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization for the Hanwha Eagles in 2002–2003. During his career, Picota has gone by multiple names, his full name (Lenin) as well as two shortened versions (Len or Leny).

Picota — a 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m), 185 pounds (84 kg) right-hander — was a starting pitching prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system who got as high as AAA but never reached the majors. He was signed as a free-agent on December 18, 1983.

Perhaps his best season in the minors was 1986, with the Savannah Cardinals. That year, he went 6–2 with a 2.00 ERA in 85 innings. Although he walked 67 and struck out only 45, the fact that he gave up only 55 hits attributed to his success.

1988 was also a good season for him. With the St. Petersburg Cardinals, he went 11–10 with a 2.89 ERA in 143 innings. He only gave up 130 hits that year, but he only struck out 65 batters. Apparently, he was not a strikeout pitcher.

In 2006 Picota represented Panama in the World Baseball Classic. He has played a lot of international ball, whether it be in Korea, Mexico or Chinese Taipei. He has also played independent baseball with the Nashua Pride.

In 2007, he pitched three innings in the Pan-American Games, striking out two batters and allowing two runs.

Picota was signed by the Montreal Expos at one point in his career after playing foreign ball for seven years. He was released before Opening Day.