Pineda: Not so fast on velocity concern

TAMPA — Michael Pineda’s fastball velocity has gotten more attention this spring than just about any other story in Yankee camp this side of Andy Pettitte’s comeback.

But for all you armchair scouts out there who think it means there’s something wrong with Pineda or that he’ll be a dud in pinstripes because he’s not lighting up radar guns the way he did at his peak last year, the pitcher has a message: “I have more.” As in more heat, more miles per hour, a bigger fastball. After a sharp outing Sunday against the Tigers in which he allowed one run in five innings and reached 94 mph twice, Pineda said he thought he’d throw harder once the season started and the competition is ramped up. Russell Martin agreed.

Pineda’s numbers are solid this spring — a 3.31 ERA in five starts, 17 hits in 161/ innings, 16 strikeouts,

3 seven walks. But he came into camp 10 pounds overweight and his fastball has not crackled the same way it did with the Mariners last year. Even Brian Cashman has said this spring he’s unsure why.

Pineda says he understands all the attention his fastball is getting. Lately, the velocity has crept up and Sunday he actually threw three of his four fastest pitches in the last two innings.

“Last year, I threw harder, so ‘What happened to Pineda right now?’ ” the pitcher said. “You know, I say, ‘Nothing.’ I feel good. I’m pitching and everybody sees me. I’m pitching every five days. I know last year I threw harder, so I (want) to get my power back. This is spring training and the power has come back a little bit. It’s a different adrenaline (in the regular season), but I don’t know . . . I’m focused on pitching a good game and helping my team a lot. That’s all I need.”

Pineda is not concerned about his fastball. He’s mostly pleased that his changeup, a new pitch for him, is developing and that he can vary speeds on his slider. Both are traits that led Martin to compliment Pineda for being more of a “pitcher” than the catcher initially thought he was going to be. “I thought he was just a guy who threw hard and had a nasty breaking ball, but he knows how to pitch and he’s shown that, even without the velocity that he had, 96-97 or whatever,” Martin said. “He looks like he’s throwing a little bit harder (now). The hitters are reacting like it’s coming in pretty hot, that’s really what matters.”