Pittsburgh Pirates Update: The Plan for Tyler Glasnow’s 2017

Toward the last two months of 2016 the Pittsburgh Pirates called up a lot of players from the minors.  Many of these prospects likely will battle for jobs this Spring Training.

The biggest prospect who was sent up and down between the minors and the Pittsburgh Pirates was Tyler Glasnow.  Glasnow is ranked as the Pittsburgh Pirates number eight prospect.  Glasnow made seven appearances, including four stats for the Bucs last season.  So far he has not looked to be the pitcher we expected, but he was not that bad either.  In those seven games he compiled a 4.24 earned run average, a 1.5 WHIP, but a solid 9.3 strikeout rate.

One thing that Tyler Glasnow has always been able to do is strikeout hitters out.  Through the minors he always has owned a high strike-out rate, and it was good to see him continue that at the MLB level.  However, as you can see by his 1.5 WHIP last season, Glasnow allowed far to many base runners last season.  This is most notable because Glasnow’s biggest concern is his command.  Over the last two years that he has sent at Triple-A, Glasnow has averaged five walks per nine innings pitched.  Most effective pitchers have this number cut in half.  He carried these command issues over to the Pittsburgh Pirates this past season.

With that being said a rival scout told me what the Pittsburgh Pirates hope to do with Glasnow at the beginning of next season:

"The Bucs would prefer to have Tyler Glasnow continue to pitcher in AAA at the start of next season.  They would like him to continue and develop his secondary pitchers and be the first pitcher called up when needed. This will allow him to work in the minors rather than feel the pressure of being effective right away. in the majors."

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Tyler Glansow starting off in the minor leagues to me would be idea.  As big of a prospect that he is, he till has a lot to figure out.  We saw this last year when he struggled with his secondary pitches.  If he continues to work in the minor leagues he can continue to develop his secondary stuff and better command.  Also if the Bucs truly want him to start in the minors, then it will force their hand to be aggressive on the starting pitching front this off-season.

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If there is one thing fans know about the Pittsburgh Pirates it is that they do not like to have prospects in permanent roles before they are ready. Tyler Glasnow is not ready, he showed this last year.  This will be for the best for both Glasnow and the Pittsburgh Pirates. If Glasnow continues to develop in Triple-A and the Bucs acquire a more proven pitcher to fill a spot in the rotation to start the season.