The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first round of spring training cuts earlier today. Among the eight players that were sent down were top pitching prospects Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon.
As we quickly approach the half way point to Pittsburgh Pirates spring training, we have approached the first round of big league camp roster cuts. And, as we look at the names of some of the players who got sent down, none of the players listed come as any surprise. The group includes a talented core that the Pittsburgh Pirates can look forward to in the near future.
Among the group were pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault, Kelvin Marte and Trevor Williams, catcher Reese McGuire, and outfielder Harold Ramirez. Each player has a lot of upside and proved themselves to be a bright spot deep into the Pittsburgh Pirates future.
The most notable of the players sent down were Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon. Both players are fine pitchers who could see some big league time as early as this year. Both have things they need to work on and both have the opportunity to work their way to the big league staff. Glasnow and Taillon are both very competitive and I can see both of them making their debuts this season.
Glasnow finished spring training throwing 1.2 innings giving up two runs on two hits while walking three batters. While those numbers don't look great, it doesn't mean that the spring was a total loss. Glasnow got his feet wet in the big league camp and can build on those experiences in the minor leagues. Not included in those stats are his Black and Gold game start where he went 2.0 innings giving up one run while striking out two batters. The future is bright for Glasnow and with some maturity he will be a good major league starting pitcher one day.
Taillon finished his spring training throwing 4.0 innings giving up two runs on six hits while striking out three batters. The other starter in the Black and Gold game, Taillon also threw 2.0 innings giving up tow runs in that game. For Taillon, this season will be one where he looks to stay healthy for a full season. He will be competing in the Triple A rotation, and barring any injuries or poor performances, could see some time in the big leagues late in the year.
Both of these top pitchers proved that they have what it takes to face major league batters this spring. Each one also has their own little things that they need to work on, but with some work in Triple A, they will be ready for big league action before we know it.
As for the other pitchers sent down Chad Kuhl threw 3.0 innings this spring giving up one run on four hits and striking out two batters.Steven Brault added 3.0 innings of his own giving up 4 runs, 2 earned runs, on five hits while striking out one. Trevor Williams tossed 2.0 innings giving up no runs and striking out four, and Kelvin Marte rounds out the group as he threw 4.2 innings giving up four runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out two.
All of these pitchers are very talented guys that the Pirates can look forward to having in the future. Each has something very intriguing to offer in the Pirates future and each will be a big part of the Pirates success now and moving forward.
Another promising prospect sent down was catcher Reese McGuire. Looked upon by many as the catcher of the future, McGuire was participating in his first big league camp.
He got his feet wet in major league camp hitting .100 (1 for 10) in six games played. In yesterday's game, he caught seven innings behind the plate after the departure of Chris Stewart.
McGuire is a solid hard working prospect who is slated to be the everyday catcher at Double A Altoona. Drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft by the Pirates, McGuire is a guy they look to have man the plate in the future.
While his offense has been average early on in his professional career, his fielding has been above average. He caught 33 percent of base stealers last year and had a .984 fielding percentage. Defense is key for a catcher and if McGuire can pick up his offense a little bit, he could be an elite major league starting catcher.
The other prospect who was sent down was outfielder Harold Ramirez. Ramirez had a very successful spring training hitting .579 (11 for 19) with two double and an RBI.
Ramirez showed that he can handle the bat at the plate and he played defense really well in the field. Ramirez will join McGuire in Double A to start the season. Ramirez will first get some more playing time as he plays for team Columbia in the upcoming World Baseball Classic qualifiers.
All of these players are very talented minor league prospects. Each offers a skill set that will be beneficial to the Pirates in the years to come. Pitching depth has always been a strength for this Pirates team and there is no lack of that in this group of players. However, some of the offensive prospects are coming around as well. Only time will tell, but for now, it looks like there is a bright future ahead for your Pittsburgh Pirates.
He got his feet wet in major league camp hitting .100 (1 for 10) in six games played. In yesterday's game, he caught seven innings behind the plate after the departure of Chris Stewart.
McGuire is a solid hard working prospect who is slated to be the everyday catcher at Double A Altoona. Drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft by the Pirates, McGuire is a guy they look to have man the plate in the future.
While his offense has been average early on in his professional career, his fielding has been above average. He caught 33 percent of base stealers last year and had a .984 fielding percentage. Defense is key for a catcher and if McGuire can pick up his offense a little bit, he could be an elite major league starting catcher.
The other prospect who was sent down was outfielder Harold Ramirez. Ramirez had a very successful spring training hitting .579 (11 for 19) with two double and an RBI.
Ramirez showed that he can handle the bat at the plate and he played defense really well in the field. Ramirez will join McGuire in Double A to start the season. Ramirez will first get some more playing time as he plays for team Columbia in the upcoming World Baseball Classic qualifiers.
All of these players are very talented minor league prospects. Each offers a skill set that will be beneficial to the Pirates in the years to come. Pitching depth has always been a strength for this Pirates team and there is no lack of that in this group of players. However, some of the offensive prospects are coming around as well. Only time will tell, but for now, it looks like there is a bright future ahead for your Pittsburgh Pirates.
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