Michael Pineda was announced American League Player of the Week on Monday following his historic 16 strikeout performance against the Baltimore Orioles.
Congratulations to AL Player of the Week, Michael Pineda! #BIGMike pic.twitter.com/Iw52ELJ5Dd
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) May 11, 2015
Pineda had an incredible week going 2-0 with a 0.60 earned run average. He threw 15.0 innings striking out 22 while only walking one. He has walked a combined three batters all season. On the other hand, Pineda has struck out 54, which leads the American League.
This is the second Yankee to win the award. The other was Mark Teixeira when he hit five home runs in one week.
For Pineda, he has solidified himself as the Yankees ace. The tall right-hander is 5-0 on the season with a 2.97 ERA. He has given up only 44 hits in 46.1 innings of work.
The Yankees, who are decimated by starting pitching injuries and slow starts need Pineda to continue pitching like an ace. The 26 year-old is a true number one starter, something none of the other four American League East teams can say.
