The New Kid in Seattle

            In case you still haven’t heard of Michael Pineda, here is some help.

            The new kid in Seattle has arguably been the best rookie pitcher in the majors so far this year.

            His stats: 4-2 record, 2.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 39 K, 12 BB, .210 BBA – all of which are above (or below) the league average.  He has surrendered just 29 hits in 38 1/3 innings of work.  Furthermore, he has only given up two homers – both of which came in his last start against Texas.  It was also his first non-quality start of the season.  He did however post nine strikeouts for the second consecutive game. 

            Pineda may have received the loss his last time out (5-2 at home to the Rangers), but the four earned runs were the most he had given up since his first start at Texas (three).  His earned runs in six games: 3, 1, 1, 0, 2, 4.  Pretty good for a rook.

            The kid throws gas.  He hits the mid-to-upper 90s constantly and has a nice breaking ball to boot.  If opposing batters only get a hit 21 percent of the time, imagine how many times they swing and miss and look dumb.  As I told you before, he is Felix Hernandez II.

            Fortunately, while everyone slept on Pineda I was able to get him in all three of my fantasy drafts.  Lucky me.  Now I get to reap the rewards.  That is until the Mariners shut him down because they have imposed an innings limit.  I mean he is only 22 years old after all.