Pittsburgh Pirates Wake-Up Call – Pirates’ Future Super Reliever

In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.

Game 6 of the World Series is about to begin as a write this, and one of the key storylines all postseason and World Series long has been the dominance of Andrew Miller. Miller has a 0.53 ERA this postseason and has allowed just one run all playoffs-long. Not only has he been dominant, but he’s been equally effective pitching whenever Terry Francona has decided to call his number. This has led many to believe that the Indians are revolutionizing a new role/position in baseball: the “super reliever.”

This role, while not created by the Indians, nor first used by them, is certainly hitting the national audience this postseason. And it’s one, whether or not the Indians win the World Series, that many teams across baseball will begin using more often. Now, this role is certainly more effective in the playoffs, when the games are more meaningful and the end is in sight, when managers don’t (or shouldn’t, at least) worry about innings limits and pitch counts as much. But I could certainly see teams using a bullpen arm is this type of role towards the end of the regular season, and occasionally at random times throughout the season. The question I have is do the Pirates have an arm currently on the team that could be used in that role next season?

Mark Melancon would have been the ideal type of guy for that role. He has a dominant pitch and is used to pitching in high-pressure situations. But Melancon isn’t with the team anymore. I don’t have confidence in Tony Watson to fill that role, not after his rocky transition to the closer’s role last season.

There are, however, two names that jump out to me: Felipe Rivero and Tyler Glasnow. Rivero has the stuff to be that guy, and a future closer in this league. Glasnow is intriguing to me because he could have the most dangerous stuff on the entire team. I do think that the Pirates are going to start Glasnow in the rotation next season, and they’ll give him a long look there before they would consider moving him to the pen. But many have speculated that Glasnow might have a future in the bullpen. If he doesn’t work out in the rotation, he may be the ideal super reliever for the Pirates.

Baseball Talk Around the Web

• In a bit of a fun note, ESPN listed some of the best Halloween costumes from baseball players. Did any Pirates make the list?
• Scott Miller of Bleacher Report believes that two key moves brought the Indians to this point. What were they, and could the Pirates learn from these types of moves?
• And Joel Reuter, also of Bleacher Report, listed his top prospects from the Arizona Fall League. The Pirates had some players in this league, but did any make his list?

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