The Rockies have sent utility player Cole Tucker outright to Triple-A Albuquerque, per the transaction log at MLB.com. He cleared waivers after being designated for assignment on Monday.
Tucker had a brief stay in Denver, appearing in three games while spending a week on the MLB roster. The return of Charlie Blackmon this week pushed him off the club. Tucker has been one of the better players in the Pacific Coast League this season, hitting .311/.419/.459 over 58 games. He’s only hit five home runs but is walking at a huge 15.7% clip against a decent 19.1% strikeout rate.
A former first round pick of the Pirates, Tucker has appeared in parts of five big league campaigns. He never established himself as a regular in Pittsburgh, posting well below-average offensive numbers in each of his limited looks. Through 477 career plate appearances, he owns a .214/.263/.316 batting line.
This is the second time in Tucker’s career in which he has gone unclaimed on outright waivers. As a result, he has the ability to test free agency in lieu of a return to Albuquerque. It isn’t clear whether he plans to do so.
Cole Tucker
6’3” 200lbs
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No power ever shown
No speed (SBs) since 2018.
-1.0 dWAR for his brief MLB career
No defense.
All that equals unclaimed on outright waivers.
If he doesn’t grade as a power hitter, he’s going to need to turn into Nico Hoerner, put the ball in play have a pretty good batting average, low strikeouts, and develop some speed. That’s a lot to ask, but he’s still 26 he still has time on his side.
This guy actually gets some hits than a quick DFA. I remember watching a game a few years back when he first came up and the broadcaster was piling the compliments on this young guy making him out to be a future star. Seems now he’s best known for his girlfriend these days.
If you don’t have the requisite MLB-level bat speed, or your swing plane is too long through the zone, you will not make it in the Show. Cole is just another example on a long list. The game has not changed in that aspect in over 200 yrs.
Maybe if he got his nose out of Vanessa, then he would hit like Kyle Tucker.
No? Yeah, you’re probably right.
I think Pittsburgh hoped his body would fill out and he would have some power potential. Personally I never liked the pick, all the “experts” felt it was a reach in the 1st round, very few teams saw him as a 1st round talent. Pittsburgh really can’t afford to miss in the 1st round but considering their lack of player development it may not matter. Too many players in their system have struggled in the majors IMO. Especially pitchers. Seems like they ask them to make changes to their game once they reach the majors. Which is a large ask considering the change in competition/environment.
to be fair… Ben hasn’t had many of players his team went and got yet. ’23 is his year for them and so far doesn’t look outstanding but does look promising.
This is the year for these guys to learn the mlb. If Davis and Skenes are not doing anything by 2025 then we have a serious problem with development.
IMO it has been better than NH’s time.. but that isn’t saying much.
IMO: Pirates have half a team of possible game changers.
Davis has hit at every level (granted even with every level, sample still isn’t large)
Skenes has so much potential that even if he ‘busts’ he will still likely be a rotation arm.
Endy again has hit at every level and his defense has improved pretty good.
Cruz, might not stick at short but his power potential and speed make him something to watch out for.. I’m not as high on him as some others but he is a freak and those types either do really well or fail hard.
Suwinski, no denying his power and he is getting on base this year. yeah his average is bad and strikes out are. but he can be a 30-50hr guy with just a bit more contact.
BUT watching the past handful of years I do get what you are saying. I do think they could’ve been pushing .500 this time of year but now 70 wins really looks iffy. Prospects figure it out, 2024 could be what I was hoping we’d have this year with off season signings that fit, pitching mostly.
Some called Tucker a bad first round pick, but at the time the pirates where picking at the backend of the first round where it is common for players to ‘bust’
Cole had the talent to be a contact hitter who had a good glove. it never panned out.. He too like Cruz is/was rather large to be a SS, but Tucker had good hands. If his bat showed he could’ve stuck there.
He still has a few years to ‘figure it out’ and get a handful of quality seasons. I hope he finds someone who can bring that talent he has out.
No better guy in Baseball