Joel Pineiro Fantasy Prospect Profile

Joel Pineiro: Seattle's pitching future doesn't end with Ryan Anderson, instead this 22-year-old righty is another potential piece to an already solid Mariners rotation.

Drafted in the 12th round out of Edison CC (FL) in 1997 draft, Pineiro began the 2000 season back at Double-A New Haven. He ended up making nine starts (2-1, 4.13 ERA, 52 IP, 42 H, 12 BB, 43 SO) before being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma (7-1, 2.80 ERA, 10 G, 9 GS, 2 CG, 61 IP, 53 H, 22 BB, 41 SO) for most of the rest of the season. In late summer, Pineiro made his major league debut and ended up going 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA in eight games (1 GS, 19 IP, 25 H, 13 BB, and 10 SO).

Pineiro is a different style of pitcher than Anderson. He's not the overpowering, intimidating type like Anderson is. Instead, Pineiro is a four-pitch pitcher (fastball curveball, slider, and changeup) with good command. His fastball and curve being his two best pitchers.

Eventually, this righty could be a solid middle rotation starter behind Anderson and Garcia. With the pitching depth the Mariners have, If he makes the team out of spring training, Pineiro may have to split time between the rotation and the bullpen so it might be in the better interests of both to have him go back to Triple-A to get in more innings as a starter. You should see Pineiro up by mid-season at the latest and see him in the rotation for good by late 2001 or 2002.

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By Robert Sherry