What Should the Expectations Be for Michael Pineda?

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota’s starting rotation has dealt with a variety of injuries and poor play throughout the 2020 season. Jake Odorizzi, Rich Hill and Homer Bailey were all expected to make contributions to the rotation and all three have spent time on the injured list. Pineda is set to make his 2020 debut on Tuesday against the White Sox, so what can fans expect from him?The Last Time Fans Saw Him

Pineda was back last season after missing all of 2018 due to Tommy John surgery. As with most pitchers returning from this procedure, it took him awhile to get back to his old self. In the first half, he posted a 4.56 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP as batters hit .261/.296/.455 (.751) against him. He locked in from there by lowering his ERA to 3.04 and he struck out 56 batters over his final 53 1/3 innings. Pineda might have been Minnesota’s most consistent starter down the stretch.

 

One of the biggest changes for Pineda was an increase use in his four-seamer and a decrease use in his slider. In his last season prior to surgery, he used his four-seamer 47.7% of the time and his slider 37.8% of the time. Last season with the Twins, his slider usage dropped to a career low usage of 29.5% and his four-seamer was used over 54% of the time. Some of this change might have been from his return from surgery and trying to find his feel for pitching again.

 

Reports from St. Paul

In a normal season, Pineda would have been able to go and pitch in minor league games to get himself prepared to be back on a big-league mound. For 2020, things look a little different as Pineda has been pitching at the Twins secondary site at St. Paul’s CHS Field. Luckily, Josh Donaldson is also rehabbing at that site and this gives both veteran players a chance to be a little better prepared for their return.

 

As far as reports from St. Paul, it sounds like Pineda has been able to hit 94 mph with his fastball. Last season, his four-seamer averaged 92.5 mph, but he averaged 93.9 mph prior to his surgery. He is also stretched out enough to pitch at least five innings. Minnesota has been regularly using a bullpen game, so adding Pineda could mean the team can have a fresher bullpen for the remainder of the season.

 

Now What?

Pineda steps into a Twins rotation that already includes Jose Berrios, Kenta Maeda, Randy Dobnak and Rich Hill. Having a complete five-man rotation is something the Twins have been missing for much of the season. The team also has three off-days over the next two weeks, which means the team doesn’t need to use a fifth starter or they can give all their starters extra days of rest.

 

What kind of impact will Pineda be able to have in one month of the season? He has the chance to make around five starts and then everything is going to come down to a three-game series in the first round of the new expanded playoffs. If Pineda looks good, he could slide into starting one of those three games. Starting pitching depth is never a bad thing, especially with the rash of injuries across baseball this year. Pineda can provide a boost at a time when the Twins have been struggling on the field.

 

What are your expectations for Pineda? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[USAFChief]

I expect 9 shoutout innings, since there's nobody left in the pen after tonight.

[Otwins]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Otwins]

PLAYOFF'S? - This team has lost six in a row. Can't hit any left handed pitcher, Has one consistent starter. All you have to do is walk Cruz. I wouldn't worry about Pineda pitching in the play offs

[umterp23]

Live out of market so watching games very limited.  So with that being said, lineup and playing fundamental baseball seems to be far from existent.  Do we move the runners over, bunt for example or do we rely way to much on a .200 hitter to break out from whatever lack of production they have to get a base hit? Station to station baseball when you are on a losing streak can jump start activity in the positive direction. Put the ball in play and make the other team work for the out.  Swinging at pitches out of the zone, thus multiple K's is awful baseball.  Time to bench some guys and let hungry players play the game.  I wouldn't worry about walking Cruz if I was other team, not many bats in lineup would scare me if I was opposition. 

[h2oface]

About 300. I doubt he has taken this time to get himself in better shape.

[4twinsJA]

5 IP, 2 runs given up, 6 Ks. Solid performance for Pineda tonight.

[Rosterman]

I hope the Twins switch to an opener if and when Odorizzi pitches, and probably should do the same with Rich Hill.

[twinbythebay]

 

 

So it looks like you're expecting a whole lot of nothing from Pineda?

[twinbythebay]

 

I expect 9 shoutout innings, since there's nobody left in the pen after tonight.

Romo should be available tonight, along with Alcala, Thielbar, Wisler, and some of the "lesser" arms. I know, I know, that doesn't inspire much confidence, but can they pitch any worse than the "high-end" guys did last night?

 

Thielbar has surprised the hell out of me so far; is he all smoke and mirrors, or did Falvine pluck a diamond from the rough?

[jimbo92107]

Pineda's poise and mechanics are conducive to good command. I expect to see him loosen up his throwing arm a lot. I expect to see a lot of pitches low in the zone. I expect to see balls pounded into the dirt. I'm not worried about Pineda.

 

The problem is hitting. No more Bomba Squad. Seems it's back to two guys that hit homers, Cruz and Sano, and the rest are table setters. Sadly, the table setters are setting records for whiffing and poor contact.

 

Bring up Lewis or Kirilloff? How about both, and Larnach and Rooker, too. Team needs hitting, and the 4th OF guys aren't getting it done. Lewis in CF lets Kep go back to RF. Larnach lets Rosie take a break. All four prospects are talented hitters. Might as well try something. Maybe Rooker can supply some bombas. 

[puckstopper1]

 

5 IP, 2 runs given up, 6 Ks. Solid performance for Pineda tonight.

I'd take this, but given the way the season is going I predict he gets knocked out in the 4th...

[Channing1964]

I expect 9 shoutout innings, since there's nobody left in the pen after tonight.

hahahaaaaa true that... did they burn up Minaya, Poppen and Thielbar too! lololol... look every team is gonna experience ups and downs. Donaldson, Odorizzi, Pineda and Garver aren't gonna solve anything. Get back to work and do your job is the only answer. We have seen this before. Only this time maybe we have the guys that can pull it back together.

[ashbury]

I'd take this, but given the way the season is going I predict he gets knocked out in the 4th...

Make it to the fourth? That puts you in the Optimist camp.

 

I'm hoping he isn't knocked out in the second after walking a tightrope in the first.

 

Guess I'm a little shellshocked by the past few weeks.