Glasnow no sure thing for Pirates’ rotation in 2017

PITTSBURGH — What’s the plan for Tyler Glasnow?

The Pirates’ top prospect made an up-and-down Major League debut this year, posting a 4.24 ERA in seven appearances (four starts and three relief outings) with 24 strikeouts and a 1.50 WHIP over 23 1/3 innings. He didn’t stick in the Majors until mid-September, and even then his role was uncertain and his performance was uneven.

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The 23-year-old right-hander is still one of the game’s top young talents; he ranks eighth on MLBPipeline.com’s Top 100 Prospects list. The Bucs desperately need better starting pitching in 2017, but Glasnow isn’t guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day rotation.

So, where does he fit?

“The ceiling is so high, but there’s clearly some work that remains,” general manager Neal Huntington said at the General Managers Meetings. “If he pitches the way he’s capable of, that’s a very exciting addition to the rotation. He’s absolutely in the mix.”

Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon are set atop the rotation. Chad Kuhl has the inside track on another spot. That leaves two openings, one of which should be filled by an offseason addition.

That would leave Glasnow competing for one spot with …

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