Tyler Glasnow is 6-foot-8, all arms and legs. Harnessing those limbs presents a challenge at times. But when he whirled to his left in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday night, he presented a crisp, polished pickoff move that, according to Josh Bell and the replay, got Eddie Rosario, thought the “safe” call stood.
“I feel like if he puts it on the money, we have a chance every time, especially if guys are running or leaning that way,” Bell said. “He throws so hard, he’s got that quick arm stroke over there. I like it and I know it’s going to play.”
Glasnow worked on that pickoff move all spring, as he stretched out in case the Pirates needed him to start while also preparing for the relief role the club had planned for him. Through two outings, he has pitched well: one run and three hits in five innings, with seven strikeouts.
“He got outs,” manager Clint Hurdle said after Glasnow struck out five in three innings Wednesday. “He picked up the bullpen and he got outs. That’s what I liked.”
Below the top five starters but with nothing left to prove in the minors, the Pirates planned to begin the season with Glasnow in relief. A 12-start span to begin 2017 went poorly: a .326/.405/.569 opponent slash line, a 7.45 ERA and 29 walks in 541/3 innings forced the Pirates to send Glasnow back to the minors. He dominated Class AAA, but the same issues plagued him in his first start back.
Glasnow started all but one game this spring, but so far seems fine with coming in during the game.
“I think just the experience of last year, and spring, and this, I just think a lot of it’s getting confidence and being comfortable up there,” he said. “I felt good in spring bring, brought it here and it’s just riding with it right now.”
Hurdle said Pirates pitchers work on their pickoff moves while throwing on flat ground, and noted Glasnow’s quick feet.
“You go out into the game and that’s when you can really tell if it’s working, and it felt good,” Glasnow said.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: April 5, 2018, 11:32 p.m.