Michael Pineda was recently talking with Robinson Cano and he admitted to his friend who was feeling a little overwhelmed with the change to the Yankees and the prospect of playing for a big team in a big city.
Cano calmed him instantly, said Pineda. "My head was spinning because I have never stayed in New York," said Pineda told Cano.
Like any pitcher who comes to the field, Pineda has parts of his game who wants to sharpen. For him it is his two-seam fastball and changeup. "I'm concentrating a little more on that," he said.
He also wanted to avoid what happened last season when he had a brilliant first half. Before the gap-Star Game, Pineda was 8-6 and 3-03 effectiveness. After that, he was averaging 1-4 and 5-12.
Cano calmed him instantly, said Pineda. "My head was spinning because I have never stayed in New York," said Pineda told Cano.
"He said, 'Do not worry man, I'll take care of you.'"
Pineda, 23, was presented Tuesday to the minor league complex for the Yankees, the first time it has put a dress of the Yankees since the turn of January that sent Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi the Mariners by Pineda and the prospect Jose Campos.
Any uncomfortable feeling that Pineda had clearly gone now. He spoke with a group of reporters for about 10 minutes, laughing and smiling after running a set of sprints in bright sunlight with several other pitchers.
"It's my first day and I'm excited because it's my first time practicing with the New York Yankees," said Pineda. "I came early because it's my first time living in Tampa and do not know what I'm doing."
At one point, Pineda said he was careful speaking English, but that was easily understood and made several jokes.
He had a light session-launch to catch anything different items, and when someone asked how his fastball, he replied with a smile, "as a 65 (mph)."
He spoke briefly about his love of fishing and how to enjoy cooking. "Dominican Cuisine" he said of his culinary expertise. "I'm Dominican."
Pineda, 23, was presented Tuesday to the minor league complex for the Yankees, the first time it has put a dress of the Yankees since the turn of January that sent Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi the Mariners by Pineda and the prospect Jose Campos.
Any uncomfortable feeling that Pineda had clearly gone now. He spoke with a group of reporters for about 10 minutes, laughing and smiling after running a set of sprints in bright sunlight with several other pitchers.
"It's my first day and I'm excited because it's my first time practicing with the New York Yankees," said Pineda. "I came early because it's my first time living in Tampa and do not know what I'm doing."
At one point, Pineda said he was careful speaking English, but that was easily understood and made several jokes.
He had a light session-launch to catch anything different items, and when someone asked how his fastball, he replied with a smile, "as a 65 (mph)."
He spoke briefly about his love of fishing and how to enjoy cooking. "Dominican Cuisine" he said of his culinary expertise. "I'm Dominican."
Like any pitcher who comes to the field, Pineda has parts of his game who wants to sharpen. For him it is his two-seam fastball and changeup. "I'm concentrating a little more on that," he said.
He also wanted to avoid what happened last season when he had a brilliant first half. Before the gap-Star Game, Pineda was 8-6 and 3-03 effectiveness. After that, he was averaging 1-4 and 5-12.
