on some concerns with Yankees starter Michael Pineda. Pineda threw 171 IP last season and earned a spot on this year's
list. The Mariners spaced out his starts but his velocity was way down during the second half. In seven of his first 13 starts, Pineda's fastball averaged 95 or better. In his last 15 starts, he averaged that speed only once.
“It’s not as good as last year,’’ the scout said of Pineda’s fastball, which topped out at 93 mph yesterday but sat at 90 with a few 88s mixed in. “The fastball has no life.’’
“Some guys fall in love with the cutter and they lose velocity,’’ said the scout, who explained that some of Pineda’s pitches cut naturally.
“Right now I see a guy who can pitch in the bottom of the rotation with the stuff he had,’’ the scout said. “I am sure that’s not what the Yankees expected, and if I was them I would be disappointed.’’
