Tyler Glasnow Has Proven He Needs More Time At Triple-A

Tyler Glasnow is not Major League ready, yet

Right now, the Pittsburgh Pirates still do not know who their fifth starting pitcher will be. Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, and Ivan Nova are locks to make the rotation. While Clint Hurdle has not made it official yet, Chad Kuhl will be in the rotation as well. This leaves one more spot.

Entering Spring Training Drew Hutchison, Steven Brault, and Tyler Glasnow were competing for the fifth starter’s spot. Putting a lot of stock, if any, into Spring Training results is a very silly thing to do. However, one thing that has been made abundantly clear this spring is that Tyler Glasnow needs more time at Triple-A.

Throughout his Minor League career Glasnow’s biggest issue has been well documented. This issue is his control. And that issue continues to plague Tyler Glasnow and hold him back.

During his Minor League career, Tyler Glasnow has averaged 4.4 BB/9 and he hit 17 batters. In 23 1/3 innings pitched in the Major Leagues last year his control issues continued, as he averaged 5.01 BB/9 and he hit three batters.

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When Spring Training started Glasnow had an opportunity to seize the fifth spot in the Pirate rotation. After his first spring outing, it looked like he might be doing this. In two innings pitched against the Baltimore Orioles he struck out six of the seven batters he faced and allowed a softly hit single to the other.

In an effort to become capable of locking down a spot in the Major League rotation Glasnow made some changes this offseason. Through working with Ray Searage, he changed the grip on his change up. Additionally, he also changed his delivery adding a rocking motion when pitching out of the stretch. This was done to try and improve his control, as well as to work toward controlling the opposition running game better.

After his first outing of the spring, it appeared these changes were making a difference for Tyler Glasnow. To be honest, they probably are making a difference and will pay off big time in the long run. But right now these changes are not enough to have him ready for the Major Leagues.

In his previous two outings his control issues have resurfaced. In his past two outings Glasnow has failed to reach the amount of innings he was scheduled to pitch in either game. The big reason why has been control issues.

Against the Orioles on March 3rd Tyler Glasnow was scheduled to pitch two innings. However, he lasted just 1 2/3 innings. In these 1 2/3 innings pitched he allowed one run on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.

He was only able to throw a first pitch strike to three of the ten batters he faced. Additionally, his control also plagued him when he threw an abysmal 0-2 pitch that led to a base hit to lead off his second inning of work.

Then, yesterday, came Glasnow’s biggest test yet. He was scheduled to pitch three innings against a loaded Team Dominican Republic lineup that featured hitters such as Robinson Cano, Jose Bautista, Nelson Cruz, Manny Machado, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco, among others. Well, things went disastrously for Glasnow.

Glasnow lasted just 2 1/3 innings and he allowed six runs on five hits, four walks, and just one strikeout. Albeit, it was against the best lineup he has ever faced in his entire life. But on Wednesday Tyler Glasnow once again showed he needs more time at Triple-A.

Next: 2017 NL Central Preview: Cincinnati Reds

This spring Tyler Glasnow has debuted a new change up grip and he has changed his wind up in an effort to combat opposing runners running wild against him. These changes paired with his plus fastball and plus curve ball will make him a very good starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates one day. However, that day is not here yet.

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