Will 2021 Finally Be the Year For Big Mike?

When the Minnesota Twins acquired Michael Pineda in 2018, he was entering into a season of recovery from Tommy John surgery, due to miss the entire season. In 2019, coming off of his recovery, Pineda was a revelation for the Minnesota Twins, arguably performing as the team’s best pitcher down the stretch of the season. In a 14-start stretch from June 13 to Sept. 6, Pineda posted a 2.96 ERA, allowing opponents to hit just .234. Unfortunately for the Twins, his momentum was halted when he was suspended in September for the use of a diuretic and his season ended, keeping Big Mike from pitching in the 2019 postseason.

Last season, the breakout for Pineda again didn’t happen. Though the 2020 season was shortened by nearly two-thirds, the remainder of Pineda’s suspension was not, and he was forced to miss a much greater proportion of the 2020 season than if the season were its regular 162-game length. As a result, Pineda was only able to start five regular season games for the Minnesota Twins in 2020 and was again unable to pitch in the postseason as the Twins were knocked out after just two games.

While he has not been a pitcher who throws big time velocity or misses lots of bats, Pineda has been the king of consistency for the Twins by limiting walks, eating innings and avoiding disaster. In his 31 starts since coming to the Minnesota Twins, Pineda has allowed more than four runs in an appearance just three times, and just once in his last 25 starts. While he has done it quietly, Pineda has produced excellent numbers in addition to providing consistency — since July 1, 2019, Pineda owns an ERA of just 3.03.

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Now heading into the 2021 season, Big Mike is healthy and free from the need to serve any suspension handed down by Major League Baseball. Pineda has the opportunity to put up an entire season’s worth of production and will hopefully be afforded the opportunity to pitch in the postseason for the first time in his career. Pineda will benefit from being in the shadow of Kenta Maeda and José Berríos as the team’s #3 pitcher, and free from the lofty expectations given to his starting counterparts.

The Minnesota Twins have an incredibly deep pitching staff with potential aces at the top and promising prospects hoping to get a chance down the roster. In the middle, though, is maybe the most consistent and underrated starter of all. Could 2021 be the season that Michael Pineda puts it all together? Don’t sleep on Big Mike.

What are your expectations for Michael Pineda heading into the 2021 season? Do you think he’s primed for a breakout? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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