Tyler Glasnow Shines As Bucs Fall To Orioles

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the Baltimore Orioles in Grapefruit League play.

For the second time in as many days the Pittsburgh Pirates (2-1) and the Baltimore Orioles (2-1) did battle in Grapefruit League play. One day after the Bucs beat the Orioles 6-2, the Orioles returned the favor by picking up a 8-3 victory on Sunday.

Jameson Taillon made the start for the Pirates. In his first start of the spring Taillon allowed two runs on three hits, a solo home run, and two walks in two innings of work. He also struck out three Oriole batters.

While the game ended in a tie, that was not the story on Sunday afternoon. The story was Pirate pitching prospect Tyler Glasnow. Making his first appearance of the spring Glasnow was absolutely dominant.

Tyler Glasnow faced seven batters, he allowed just a softly hit single, and he struck out six (four looking and two swinging). This included the third inning in which he faced the heart of the Oriole lineup (Manny Machado, Chris Davis, and Mark Trumbo) and fanned the side in order.

More from Rum Bunter

• Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Stockwatch: Outfielder Tres Gonzalez
• Pittsburgh Pirates Podcast: Rum Bunter Radio Talks Winter Meetings Fallout
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Leadoff Hitters in 2023
• Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rotation is not being Improved
• Pittsburgh Pirates Make Vince Velasquez Signing Official

Pirate radio announcers Greg Brown and John Wehner kept commenting on how late and uncomfortable the swings against Glasnow were. He also debuted his new delivery today, which seems to feature an A.J. Burnett-esq turn.

After making seven appearances for the Bucs last season Tyler Glasnow seemed destined to start the 2017 season at Triple-A. However, if Glasnow continues to pitch like this the Pirates will ahve a hard time not putting him in the rotation to start the season. Yes this was just one outing, but it was a very encouraging one for Tyler Glasnow.

One of the pitchers Glasnow is competing with for a spot in the rotation, Drew Hutchison, followed Glasnow. He allowed one run on two hits, no walks, and no strikeouts. The one run he allowed came via a Manny Machado home run.

Jared Hughes then pitched the seventh inning. Hughes struggled immensely in his one inning of work. In fact, he only recorded one out before getting the hook. He allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits, two walks, and one strikeout in just 1/3 of an inning of work.

While Hughes is most likely to make the club, due to his struggles last season and him having Minor League options left this should not be the case. Tony Watson, Felipe Rivero, Daniel Hudson, Juan Nicasio, Antonio Bastardo, and A.J. Schugel are all better bullpen options than Hughes.

Rule 5 Draft pick Tyler Webb pitched the bottom of the eighth inning. Webb would hold the Orioles scoreless in the bottom of the eighth despite allowing a single. Due to Webb being a Rule 5 Draft selection, if he does not make the roster out of camp he will be returned to the Yankees.

The Pirates got a pair of solo home runs on Sunday. One was by Minor League utility man Eric Wood, while the other was by Minor League 1B/OF Jose Osuna. The Pirates’ third run came when Osuna grounded out to shortstop with Wood on third and Elias Diaz on second base with just one out in the fifth inning.

Kevin Newman and Andrew McCutchen both went 1-for-3 at the plate, this included Cutch’s second double in as many games this spring. Jason Rogers was 2-for-3, Elias Diaz was 1-for-3 with a double, and Austin Meadows went 0-for-1 and was hit by a pitch.

Alen Hanson started at shortstop for the Pirates. This was his first start at shortstop since 2014 when he was at Double-A. If Hanson is going to make the club out of Spring, he must show the ability to play shortstop. On Sunday Hanson was not tested defensively, while going 0-for-1 with a walk at the plate.

Next: Cole Named Open Day Starter

Tomorrow the Bucs will head to Dunedin, Florida, to battle the Toronto Blue Jays. Chad Kuhl will make his Grapefruit League season debut for the Bucs. The Blue Jays will counter with Marcus Stroman.

Wade LeBlanc, Nick Kingham, and Clay Holmes are all slated to pitch for the Pirates as well.