Tyler Glasnow Needs To Develop Some A.J. Burnett In Him

How can A.J. Burnett’s attitude help Tyler Glasnow improve as a starting pitcher?

Right-handed starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow has been one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball for a few years now. With his plus fastball and wicked good curveball, it is easy to see why. However, he continues to be plagued by a few issues.

First off, Glasnow has serious control issues. This was on display on Monday night when he walked four batters in 1 2/3 innings pitched in his 2017 debut. And these control issues are not a new thing.

Secondly, Tyler Glasnow has always battled confidence issues. Which, with his staff, should never be an issue. But a lack of confidence can lead to control issues, too.

When a pitcher does not completely trust their pitches they are less likely to rear back and pound the strike zone. Now, this is not to say Glasnow throws so many balls intentionally. But it is possible a lack of confidence makes him more likely to try and hit corners instead of pounding the zone.

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This is where Glasnow could learn to develop some of A.J. Burnett in him. Despite spending only three seasons in the black and gold, Burnett is one of the most popular players in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates. And a big reason why was his fiery attitude when he was on the pitcher’s mound.

As David said to me in a text Monday night after I told him Glasnow needs to learn to just rear back and trust his stuff, “man if he had a “f*** you, try to hit this” attitude to him like AJ, he’d be untouchable.”

Maybe just maybe Tyler Glasnow needs to develop a bit of this in his attitude. Maybe just maybe, Glasnow needs to develop some A.J. Burnett in him.

On the mound, Tyler Glasnow is a very laid back pitcher. He rarely, if ever, shows emotion. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just look at Jameson Taillon‘s never changing demeanor for example.

What Tyler Glasnow needs to develop is a bit of the attitude of “my stuff is that damn good, try and hit it.” By doing this, his confidence would improve and he should throw more strikes. And with how good his stuff is, all Tyler Glasnow needs to do to be successful in the Major Leagues is throw strikes.

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Tyler Glasnow’s first start on Monday night was truly a disaster. He has far too much talent to continue to make starts like that. However, developing a bit of A.J. Burnett’s attitude could help Glasnow improve as a starting pitcher.

Hopefully when he takes the mound for his next start, which is scheduled to be on Saturday at Wrigley Field, Tyler Glasnow will have a bit of A.J. Burnett in him.