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I always respect your judgment more but here is a quick shot. I hope for a long career for Pineda...with the M’s. Per Taro, the right trade notwithstanding (i.e. Montero). But someone does have to pitch. Taro, I think you said a lot of good things to warn about potential dangers. I do not want to lessen what was said. I fully agree that the inverted L’s and W’s put arms into positions not meant to be. I honestly do get how guys like an Aaron Crow come up today. The instruction with instant videos should prevent such. I think that coaches and players (their parents especially) are expedient wanting instant/short term rather than long term success.
Pineda’s arm does come up a little high in the pre-delivery. I picture the arm like the hammer on a gun. It comes in with perfect precision and the force ignites the bullet. The hammer was design to prevent extra movement…so should arms in the pitching motion be. That hammer arm does not fly high. So that is a legitimate complaint about Pineda. But, I also know that the M’s have coaches that know all this far more than me. Potentially this is how his arm feels best, is natural, etc. The inverted arm often is associated with shoulder/rotator cuff issues. Pineda’s arm history is elbow related isn’t it? Could this relief pressure on the elbow? Something he is comfortable with? I would be curious if you could get coaches from minor leagues to ever comment on players. I am sure that this kid has been surrounded with coaches checking all this out.
The second frame from the #2 article has a high elbow and it looks like he is about to lower the arm to skip a rock on water. But several frames later his position looks solid. If I could try something on him it would be to simply try lowering his lead arm just a touch as you will note it is fairly high (that is consistent with the best pitchers). The exact and opposite reflection is often true. Lower one and the other follows. I really love how Pineda, for a big man, drives his legs through to home plate. If he has directional consistency with his strength, he will drive to home plate and take a lot of pressure off of the arm.
All the comments are great to follow. Makes it fun waiting to see what happens!