Uh-oh.  It is tough to be deemed a bust in a big market!  He will face loads of annoying reporters until a 95 goes up on the board, esp. if Montero starts well.

“It’s not as good as last year,’’ the scout said of Pineda’s fastball, which topped out at 93 mph yesterday but sat at 90 with a few 88s mixed in. “The fastball has no life.’’

Ever since his first outing March 5 against the Phillies, Pineda has been hounded about the lack of velocity, though there was a significant drop already in the second half of last season, when his fastball went from 97 mph to the low 90s.

Was it the extra 10 pounds Pineda admitted to gaining since the end of last year? Could it be the effects of a jump of 31 2/3 innings from his 2010 season in the minor leagues to 171 last year in the big leagues? Or is the cut fastball the culprit?

“Some guys fall in love with the cutter and they lose velocity,’’ said the scout, who explained that some of Pineda’s pitches cut naturally.

In five innings, Pineda gave up five hits, a run, walked two and fanned four. In five spring outings, Pineda is 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA and has allowed 17 hits and seven walks in 16 1/3 innings with 16 strikeouts.

“I had a good fastball — 92 to 94 is not an easy fastball,’’ Pineda said of the gun readings on the YES telecast. “I am throwing more changeups, and I feel very comfortable right now. I understand everybody knows I threw harder [last year] and what happened. I feel good and I am pitching every five days.’’

Martin was impressed with the 23-year-old right-hander’s location.

“To me, pitching is about location,’’ Martin said. “The harder you throw, you can get away with more mistakes.’’

Maybe adding the changeup, which is improving, can help Pineda work effectively. But in the bigger picture, the Yankees had to expect a bigger arm when they sent Jesus Montero to Seattle.

“Right now I see a guy who can pitch in the bottom of the rotation with the stuff he had,’’ the scout said. “I am sure that’s not what the Yankees expected, and if I was them I would be disappointed.’’

george.king@nypost.com