Three Things Tyler Glasnow Can Show in his Start

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced yesterday that Tyler Glasnow will start the Sunday game vs. the Nationals.

Before a pitch was thrown in 2016, Tyler Glasnow drew a lot of attention. Many fans were giddy at the thought of a pitching rotation led by Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon and of course Glasnow.

Glasnow hasn’t had a lot of Major League experience this season as it seems management doesn’t believe he is ready. He has appeared in five games, made two starts with a 4.11ERA and a 3.98FIP. Glasnow has shown flashes of the brilliance that made him a top prospect but hasn’t wowed yet. What can the 6’8 right hander show in this start?

1. Control, control and more control

The biggest flaw in Glasnow’s game has always been pitch control. In 15.1 innings at the Big League level, he has allowed eight walks. In his minor league career, he has a 4.4 BB/9. Glasnow absolutely has the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter for the Pirates but he definitely needs to get his walks under control.

It isn’t guaranteed that Glasnow will begin 2017 in the Major Leagues, but perhaps a couple effective starts can help set him in that direction. If Glasnow is able to show improve control that could show Pirates’ management he is heading in the right direction. It’s one thing to a lot of walks in Triple-A, it’s another to consistently do it in the big leagues. You can be a productive pitcher with a high walk rate as Francisco Liriano can attest to but it’s hard to become a truly great one.

In the minor leagues, there are enough holes in the lineups to work around a lot of walks. Most Major League teams are good enough to hurt you when you give them free base-runners. Glasnow’s stuff may be some of the best in all of the Minor Leagues but he needs to show he can consistently find the strike zone or his potential will stay just that.

2. Strikeout Stuff

In five minor league seasons, Glasnow has an 11.6K/9 rate. In his first 15.1 Big League innings, it’s 8.8. Obviously, it’s way too early to make much out of a decreased strikeout per nine. However, I hope that in his next start, we see a few more strike threes. Glasnow has seven strikeouts in his two starts and eight in his three relief appearances.

It seems that during his time as a reliever, he’s actually been a bit more proficient at striking out Major League hitters. Hopefully, he can start to wrack up the strikeouts as he’s done for his entire Minor League career. It’s unfair to expect one start to reveal much but September is often a try-out period for young prospects so it’s vital for Glasnow to show what he can do.

3. Mental Make-Up

“Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical.” – Yogi Berra 

Perhaps the biggest thing to look for in this start for Glasnow is how he handles the pressure of maybe his last start in 2016. Glasnow wants to be a Big Leaguer and I am sure he thought 2016 would be his time. It hasn’t worked out that way because of a variety of reasons. This start could show management he deserves a serious look during Spring Training 2017.

Obviously, this is simply a start during his rookie season but when you’re a top prospect, every start has pressure. I am genuinely curious to see how Glasnow handles what could be the biggest start in his audition period. This start won’t determine much in the grand scheme of things but it definitely could show how the young pitcher handles the intensity.

Perhaps the biggest compliment paid to Jameson Taillon in his rookie season is his poise. Glasnow needs to show he can match his fellow top prospect in that department. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove this in the years to come but I am sure a lot of people will feel better about Glasnow’s chances in 2017 if he pitches well to close out his 2016 season.

Final Thoughts

Nothing about Tyler Glasnow’s future will be decided tomorrow. However, this start could be the last we see of him until Spring Training 2017. Sports are a reactionary business and I know we all want to see the top prospect pitch well before he gets a full season in 2017. Glasnow is talented and I have zero doubt he will be a big part of the 2017 Pirates. Regardless of how this start against the Nationals goes.

This start is potentially his last chance this season to build some confidence that he can get outs at the Big League level. For the fans, it could be their last opportunity to see the big top prospect during his rookie season. Either way, there should be some electricity in PNC Park on Sunday afternoon.

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