Glasnow not seriously injured
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Tyler Glasnow, by all accounts, is not seriously injured.
The most prized among the Pirates鈥� large stable of young pitchers left his start last Saturday in the fourth inning with what was described as shoulder discomfort. Normally, that would set off alarms because shoulder injuries often alter careers.
Yet general manager Neal Huntington, manager Clint Hurdle and 鈥� most importantly 鈥� Glasnow did not seem concerned Sunday about him being placed on the 15-day disabled list. They are optimistic he will be activated Aug. 8, the first day he will be eligible.
More concerning, though, is the way Glasnow pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed two runs 鈥� one earned 鈥� in three-plus innings with three walks and two strikeouts while also hitting two batters and giving up five stolen bases.
In fairness, the shoulder soreness had an effect on Glasnow. The velocity on his fastball was inconsistent as was the spin on his curveball.
The outing made it clear why the Pirates promoted three other pitchers from Class AAA Indianapolis to make their first major league starts before finally bringing Glasnow up July 7. He lost his debut that day, giving up four runs in 5 1/3 innings, while losing to the Cardinals in St. Louis and then was worse in his second start.
鈥淗e isn鈥檛 ready to pitch up here,鈥� said an American League scout, who has watched Glasnow pitch multiple times this season. 鈥淣ot yet. He蘑菇视频 just too far inconsistent.鈥�
That seems odd when looking at the 22-year-old strictly from a statistical standpoint. In 18 starts with Indianapolis, he was 7-3 with a 1.94 ERA while allowing just 59 hits in 102 innings with 122 strikeouts and 55 walks.
鈥淚t shows you the difference between Class AAA and the big leagues,鈥� the scout said. 鈥淚t蘑菇视频 not as easy a jump as you think. The level of competition is huge.鈥�
Everyone who has watched Glasnow pitch, including those in the organization, know that he needs to improve the control and command of his pitches along with doing a better job of holding on runners.
That is easier said than done for someone who stands 6-foot-8 and is still getting in tune with his body after growing 11 inches during one year while in high school.
鈥淗e蘑菇视频 like a baby giraffe in the zoo,鈥� a scout from a National League team said. 鈥淗e蘑菇视频 still kind of learning to stand up on his own, learning how to walk without falling down. I don鈥檛 think there is anybody who doesn鈥檛 think he鈥檒l be a heckuva big league pitcher.鈥�
That day is not now but a kid with a 99-mph fastball and hammer curveball will be worth the wait.