There was an extremely difficult decision to make this year in regards to the Pirates Prospects Pitcher of the Year award. There were two pitchers in the system who put up extremely dominant numbers at their levels, and were easy choices for the finalists. Those two pitchers were Tyler Glasnow and Mitch Keller. If only focusing on ERA, Glasnow would have been the clear winner, as his 1.87 ERA beat out the 2.35 ERA from Keller. But when other factors were considered, Keller gained the edge, and it was enough for him to be our 2016 Pitcher of the Year in the Pirates’ system.
Keller had an amazing season this year, making the jump to West Virginia and putting up a 2.46 ERA in 124.1 innings, with a 9.5 K/9 and a 1.3 BB/9. He continued that season with a late promotion to Bradenton, pitching six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and one walk in his first start. He then made two playoff starts, combining to give up three earned runs in 13.1 innings, including eight shutout innings in the finals. His control numbers were outstanding during the season, with 21 of his 24 starts seeing a walk rate at 5% or lower.
That’s ultimately where the edge came from. Glasnow had a good ERA, but had a 14.2% walk rate. He walked 5.04 BB/9, and in a lot of games he was getting into jams, and escaping damage due to his incredible ability to generate strikeouts. Keller also generated a lot of strikeouts, and had much easier outings, not working himself into as many difficult situations. Glasnow also was getting a bit more help from his fielders than Keller, with a .255 BABIP, compared to a .284 for Keller, who played in front of a pretty bad West Virginia defense for most of the year. When you look at the advanced metrics, Glasnow had a 2.92 FIP, while Keller was at 2.37.
Keller’s performance this year led to some unprecedented developmental decisions from the Pirates. He was the first prep pitcher to be promoted from West Virginia to Bradenton during the middle of his first full season. In the past, the Pirates have kept the pitchers at the level the entire year, and have slowed them down at the end of the season. Keller wasn’t slowing down, sitting 94-97 and touching 99 during his final month at the level, and absolutely dominating opposing hitters during that stretch.
The fact that he didn’t slow down also led to him getting more innings than most prep starters have received in their first full year. Keller ended up with 143.2 innings on the season, including the playoffs. By comparison, Glasnow only had 114 innings when he went through West Virginia. The Pirates have changed their approach with innings limits, focusing more on pitches and stress pitches. Keller didn’t have many stressful innings this year, which allowed him to get stretched out more. He also went eight innings in his final appearance of the year, which is the first time I can recall a pitcher that young going that deep in a game in a lower level (he only needed 89 pitches).
Keller was our West Virginia Pitcher of the Month in April, May, and August. He was also our overall Pitcher of the Month in August.
Below you will find our Minor League Pitchers of the Year for each level in the farm system, our previous overall award winners, and the 2016 monthly awards.
Previous Pirates Prospects Minor League Pitchers of the Year
2015 – Chad Kuhl
2014 – Tyler Glasnow
2013 – Tyler Glasnow
2012 – Jeff Locke
2011 – Kyle McPherson
2016 Pirates Prospects Minor League Pitchers of the Year By Level
Indianapolis – Tyler Glasnow, RHP (1.87 ERA, 110.2 IP, 133:62 K/BB)
Altoona – Tyler Eppler, RHP (3.99 ERA, 162.1 IP, 106:33 K/BB)
Bradenton – Yeudy Garcia, RHP (2.76 ERA, 127.1 IP, 127:54 K/BB)
West Virginia – Mitch Keller, RHP (2.46 ERA, 124.1 IP, 131:18 K/BB)
Morgantown – Danny Beddes, RHP (2.27 ERA, 71.1 IP, 55:24 K/BB)
Bristol – Matt Eckelman, RHP (2.76 ERA, 62.0 IP, 55:9 K/BB)
GCL Pirates – Max Kranick, RHP (2.43 ERA, 33.1 IP, 21:4 K/BB)
2016 Pirates Prospects Pitcher of the Month Awards
April
Overall – Brandon Waddell
Indianapolis – Jameson Taillon
Altoona – Tyler Eppler
Bradenton – Brandon Waddell
West Virginia – Mitch Keller
May
Overall – Chad Kuhl
Indianapolis – Chad Kuhl
Altoona – Jared Lakind
Bradenton – Austin Coley
West Virginia – Mitch Keller
June
Overall – Tyler Glasnow
Indianapolis – Tyler Glasnow
Altoona – Tyler Eppler
Bradenton – Yeudy Garcia
West Virginia – Logan Sendelbach
July
Overall – Trevor Williams
Indianapolis – Trevor Williams
Altoona – Clay Holmes
Bradenton – Tate Scioneaux
West Virginia – Gage Hinsz
Morgantown – Danny Beddes
Bristol – Ike Schlabach
GCL Pirates – Travis MacGregor
August
Overall – Mitch Keller
Indianapolis – Trevor Williams
Altoona – Alex McRae
Bradenton – Yeudy Garcia
West Virginia – Mitch Keller
Morgantown – Luis Escobar
Bristol – Matt Eckelman
GCL Pirates – Max Kranick
