RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~140
CURRENT ADP: 147.3
ANALYSIS: Debuting with the Mariners in 2011, Michael Pineda posted a 3.74 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 173 strikeouts over 171 innings. However, after being traded to the Yankees before the 2012 season, Pineda suffered a shoulder injury and missed two full seasons. Making his return to the mound in 2014, he started 17 games, dominating to the tune of a 1.89 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. His 0.83 BB/9 rate was otherworldly, and batters hit only .198 against the 6’7" right-hander. Unfortunately, derailed by inconsistency, Pineda finished 2015 with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP, allowing opposing batters hit .273.
Despite the down year, Pineda still maintained a 2.95 xFIP-- a career-low and ninth best among pitchers with at least 150 IP. His Greg Maddux-esque 1.18 BB/9 was third lowest among the same demographic, and his 8.74 K/9 ranked in the top 30. His opposing BABIP was abnormally high (.332), and his above-average fastball was hit abnormally well (.342/.342/.519), so those numbers are likely to come down in 2016. Health is always a concern for Pineda, but he offers good value and high upside as Rotoballer’s 39th ranked starting pitcher.
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