Michael Pineda got the nod for AAA Tacoma tonight and faced a very potent Sacramento River Cats lineup featuring, among others, Travis Buck, Chris Carter, Dallas McPherson, and Michael Taylor. Here's how he did:
58/86 strikes (67%)
11 strikeouts in 18 plate appearances
1 hit
0 walks
16 swinging strikes (19%)
Pineda has made six starts on the year for the Rainiers, throwing 67% strikes out of 521 pitches. Batters have swung at 239 of them. They have missed 74 times, for a contact rate of 69%. For the sake of comparison, Tanner Scheppers' contact rate in AAA is 77%. Derek Holland's is also 77%.
Michael Pineda is 21 years old.
He's coming. I hate prospect hype, and I hate the way it makes people behave, but the hype here is blowing up, and it's blowing up for a reason. The Mariners are sitting on what might become their next great young ace.
0 recs | 30 comments
Nasty and diabolical!
ThundaPC - July 24, 2010
Elbow concerns?
I don’t keep up with the Mariners as much as I’d like. How’s Pineda’s elbow holding out?
TwinsTarget - July 24, 2010
No problems that I know of so far
and somewhat related – he’s on a pitch count, hence coming out today after 86.
Jeff Sullivan - July 24, 2010
By the way
Neglected to mention that Pineda hit triple digits and hovered at 97 tonight.
Jeff Sullivan - July 24, 2010
Seriously?
Triple digits is so far beyond what anyone ever expected Pineda to throw. I was blown away that he’s been touching 97 this year. That’s incredible.
dnc - July 24, 2010
I got to go to that game. I was really impressed with Pineda although I didn't realize he struck out 11.
His arms look like they are as long as my legs! Oh ya, Yusmeiro Petit sucks.
Boz86 - July 24, 2010
Hope!
It feels so good. Man 11 strikeouts in 5 innings is ridiculous.
Hopefulmsfan - July 24, 2010
Yeah, that's like the numbers you might get in Babe Ruth
ignacio - July 24, 2010
I didn't get those numbers in Babe Ruth
Maybe I just sucked
flashbeak - July 24, 2010
The thing I really liked
is that he wasn’t relying on his fastball to get batters out. He was working a slider and what looked like a change for out pitches and spotting them down in the zone.
TrashiDawa - July 24, 2010
I like how our high minors are starting to have useful people in them, instead of crap and filler.
joof - July 24, 2010
Almost all of our Minor levels
Seem to have a couple players with really high upsides. Which is really nice, It has been such a black hole for the past few years. Building to the future looks like it might be working!
Let’s go 2013!
ambrosia2112 - July 24, 2010
Pineda: 5IP, 11 SO
This makes me moist.
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 24, 2010
I hate that word
beastwarking - July 24, 2010
Creepy.
MT Olson - July 24, 2010
He just has to stay healthy. With his command and makeup, not to mention his stuff,
he’s a pretty safe bet to be at the top of our rotation for years to come. You don’t see a lot of guys who can combine his velocity and stuff with such control, especially at that age.
Rudy4three - July 24, 2010
Despite some other missteps GMZ has definitely improved the farm stock
He’s building contenders for the long haul, and the destination is more Tampa Bay than it is Kansas City.
maqman - July 24, 2010
The first person who talks about having the best 1 - 2 punch in baseball in Felix and Pineda gets kicked in the balls.
stredarts - July 24, 2010
I believe
You just did
BQueezy - July 24, 2010
Yes, I should have used "next" instead of first.
Sill, how does one threaten to kick anthers balls for invoking a meme without invoking it themselves. It’s a conundrum, one the internets may never solve.
stredarts - July 24, 2010
Robert should have some ideas.
Decatur - July 24, 2010
It's reasonably difficult to kick yourself in the balls but you're going to have to give it a go.
Eyeball Kid - July 24, 2010
Dammit
This comment was late because I was trying to see how difficult it was to kick yourself in the balls.
Eyeball Kid - July 24, 2010
And?
Jeff Sullivan - July 24, 2010
It's reasonably difficult.
Eyeball Kid - July 24, 2010
You need to stretch first
Allen Wu - July 24, 2010
Well for you it's impossible.
Coach Owens - July 24, 2010
I did before I even posted.
I was just documenting the event.
stredarts - July 24, 2010
Use your heel and just drive it up there.
abender20 - July 24, 2010
I'm confused....
This is not bad news. I don’t know how to react to good news as there has been none up till now. 11 K’s in 5 innings…. I like.
grips - July 24, 2010
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