TAMPA — What we know of Michael Pineda in the brief time he has been with the Yankees can’t be viewed as encouraging.
The 23-year-old right-hander arrived last month and immediately admitted he was 10 pounds heavier than the 270 he carried at the end of last year with the Mariners.
That speaks to poor nutritional habits or a lack of exercise, each alarming for his age.
While the extra pounds are packed onto his 6-foot-7 frame, Pineda’s power arm lacked a much-needed third pitch. So he has tried to add a changeup to his mid-90s fastball and biting slider.
New York Post: Charles Wenzelberg
LICKING GOOD? Pitcher Michael Pineda, who cost the Yankees slugger Jesus Montero in a trade with the Mariners, came to spring training overweight and needs to improve his changeup as well as drop pounds to secure a spot in the rotation.
Pineda also came with the dreaded tag of “potential,” which either turns into superior talent or makes heads shake with disappointment.
Today, the Yankees will get their first real look at Pineda, whose cost was stud catching/designated hitter prospect Jesus Montero.
None of the questions about Pineda will be answered when he faces the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., because he will go two innings or 35 pitches.
“Last year, nobody knew him,’’ said veteran righty Freddy Garcia, who dresses next to Pineda in the George M. Steinbrenner Field clubhouse. “This year, he has to prove how good he is. He has been relaxed so far, and confident. You have to be confident and show people you can play. He asks a lot of questions. He is excited, hopefully he shows what he has got.’’
According to Garcia, who also has pitched in Seattle and The Bronx, Pineda was a bit overwhelmed by how the media reacts to every breath from the Yankees.
“The difference between Seattle and New York is the media,” Garcia said. “The first time he came here it was ‘Wow.’ In Seattle spring training there were two or three guys and sometimes they didn’t ask questions.’’
Pineda, who was 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts last year, but was 1-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 10 games after the All-Star break, might be a little confused by the front office.
General manager Brian Cashman opened camp by saying it was unfair for people to view Pineda as a No. 2 starter because his third pitch, that changeup, was below average.
Manager Joe Girardi followed that by handing newly acquired righty Hiroki Kuroda a rotation spot and leaving Pineda in a group of four arms vying for three slots behind ace CC Sabathia and Kuroda.
Last week, co-owner Hal Steinbrenner said it was up to Pineda and minor leaguers Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances to develop into dependable pitchers so the Yankees won’t have to spend on free agent arms.
So, Pineda isn’t a No. 2 starter. Nor is he a lock for the rotation. Yet, he is viewed as a money-saving option so the Yankees can have a $189 million payroll in 2014.
For now, Girardi wants to see him face big league hitters.
“It’s always good to look at a guy with a power arm who is on your side,’’ Girardi said. “I am anxious to see him throw some changeups.’’
Regardless that the Mariners received Montero and the potential muscle he can provide, there were questions as to why Seattle would part with a 23-year-old power pitcher with one year of experience who was five years from arbitration.
Isn’t it true that nobody knows a player like the organization he is with? What, if anything, did the Mariners not like about Pineda? Were they afraid of his body? Or was their need for a catcher so great they were willing to pay any price other than Felix Hernandez?
Ten pounds heavier. One pitch short. That’s what we know so far about Pineda.
Today, he can display the power arm, biting slider and evolving changeup and begin to offset too much weight and not enough pitches.
george.king@nypost.com
Michael Pineda, Jesus Montero, Mariners, Mariners, Pineda, the Yankees, Joe Girardi, Freddy Garcia
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