2017 Pittsburgh Pirates Rum Bunter Staff Predictions: Marty

Tyler Glasnow

Friday night, the Pirates announced that Tyler Glasnow has won a job in the Pirate rotation. Glasnow is arguably the top pitching prospect in all of baseball and his potential has no ceiling. Now Glasnow will be given a chance to show what he can do in the Major Leagues.

Tyler Glasnow made his Major League debut in 2016. He made four starts and three appearances out of the Pirate bullpen. He pitched 23 1/3 innings and had mixed results.

The control issues that have plagued him throughout the minors were there as he walked 13 batters (5.01 BB/9), he hit three batters, and he uncorked two wild pitches. However, he allowed just two home runs and struck out 24 batters (9.26 K/9).

After an up and down spring, Glasnow started to put it all together in his final two appearances. In these outings he allowed nine hits in eight innings pitched, while walking just three batters and striking out 14.

Most importantly, Glasnow’s command of his pitches was much better in these two outings. He threw quality strikes with consistency and did a better job of putting the ball where his catcher wanted it.

Tyler Glasnow possesses a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, and regularly hit 97+ miles per hour this spring. His curveball is absolutely filthy and has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in all of Major League Baseball. Mix in a changeup that he has, successfully, incorporated this spring and it is easy to see why Glasnow’s ceiling is so high.

In 2017 Tyler Glasnow will begin to reach that ceiling. 2017 is the year his ascent to being one of the top starting pitchers in the National League begins. This will make him the Pirates’ breakout player in 2017