Yesterday, it was announced the Indianapolis Indians pitcher Tyler Glasnow was named International League Pitcher of the Week.
The award did not surprise Jared Hughes, who recently was with the Indians as part of his rehab assignment.
“I really had never seen him before spending time with him in Indy,” he said. “I’ve seen him in Spring Training, but that’s always tough to judge. Watching him in Indy was pretty impressive. It’s funny because he won player of the week but (Steven) Brault or Jameson Taillon could have won it as well, maybe even (Chad) Kuhl. Everyone is pitching well down there. It’s a bunch of solid guys going out there attacking with their stuff.”
Glasnow has been implementing a changeup more often with his pitches, but Hughes was blown away by his primary pitches.
“He throws his curveball off the fastball,” said Hughes. “If he throws a fastball off the letters by someone, he can throw that curveball in the dirt and someone is going to swing. It looks the exact same coming out of his hand. It’s got the sharp downward bite. He’s got plus stuff on multiple pitches … it’s not just his fastball.”
Deceptiveness can account for a large amount of success on a mound, and Hughes noted that Glasnow does not necessarily have to do as mound to throw off hitters.
“He’s so big that his deception comes from his extension,” Hughes said. “He’s releasing it like an Aroldis Chapman, closer to the plate. It’s harder for the hitter to react. If you’re releasing it closer to home plate it’s going to help you in terms of deception.”
Fans have expressed their excitement about Glasnow with some up in arms about him not being a September call-up last season.
Hughes feels as though Glasnow has what it takes to be a major leaguer.
“With Glasnow when he misses a lot of times it is because he is too aggressive which if you fail that is a good thing,” said Hughes. “He’s definitely has the stuff a major league pitcher has if not more. For him it’s just finding a way to consistently get ahead in the count. His stuff plays anywhere.”
