CLEARWATER, Fla. — The extra pounds have almost been shed and the velocity will increase as March moves toward April. And while those are indications Michael Pineda is moving in the right direction, the best nugget to take from the big right-hander’s Yankees spring debut yesterday was the command of the changeup. “The changeup will be a monster pitch for him,’’ catcher Russell Martin predicted of the pitch GM Brian Cashman called below average at the start of the camp. “There are a lot of aggressive hitters who will be out in front of it and roll over for a ground ball. They will have to respect the heater.’’Against the Phillies at Bright House Field, where the Yankees lost, 9-3, Pineda’s heater fluctuated between 89 and 91 mph. While that is below the 95-96 range he reached last year as a Seattle rookie, it’s not alarming at this time of the year. “I am not focusing on my velo,’’ said Pineda, who worked two scoreless innings, allowing a single, striking out two and not issuing a walk. Nineteen of Pineda’s 30 pitches were strikes. “My focus is making good pitches with my slider and changeup and be ready for the season.’’ Acquired from the Mariners for stud prospect Jesus Montero, the 6-foot-7 Pineda arrived in camp 10 pounds above the 270 he finished 2011 at. He also had what Cashman said was a “below average’’ changeup. According to Pineda, he has lost seven to eight pounds, and he got results from most of the five changeups he threw at the Phillies. “It’s not easy,’’ said Pineda, who has adjusted his circle change grip under pitching coach Larry Rothschild. “I am a little bit surprised by the changeup being good. Right now I feel a little more comfortable. I had fun on the mound.’’ Full Story
As a Yankee fan, this is an encouraging start from offseason acquisition Michael Pineda. Although it's not a good sign to come to training camp overweight, it does seem like he's moving in the right direction by losing a couple pounds and focusing on developing his change-up. We know he can throw the fastball and slider, so if he can develop the change-up at a good velocity then I'm excited to see what he can do this year. A couple innings is a good start so far, but certainly not enough for Joe Girardi and his staff to make any decisions about who makes the starting rotation yet. While Pineda hasn't locked up a spot in the rotation, I'm sure he'll start. It's early, but he's got a live arm, a big body, and the Yanks gave up Jesus Montero to get him. I think Yankees fans have to remember that Pineda is young, he's only 23. It's always difficult joining a new team, especially coming from Seattle to the big time Yankees. Give him a chance to lose a few more LBs, master the change-up, and get used to playing on the big stage in New York. He'll learn to be a Yankee, and even if it takes him some time to adjust, I'll take him any day over that fucking headcase A.J. Burnett. By the way, how's your broken face bro?
P.S. Any chance we can get this guy to jump on the Giants d-line? Ya know, pull a Deion Sanders and play both baseball and football. The guy is a monster at 6'7'' 270. Maybe if we can't work out a deal with Osi and Pineda doesn't reach his potential the G-Men could give him a look. Just sayin.
Also, is Michael Pineda receiving fashion advice from Phil Hughes?
Not a good look dude. Remember you play in New York now.
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