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Pittsburgh Pirates: A Great Series For The Bullpen & Other Takeaways From Series Victory In San Fran
By Marty Leap
Cole Tucker deserves to make more starts
Albeit, he has spent large chunks of time at the Triple-A level during this stretch. However, since May 25th Cole Tucker has been hitting the ball well for the Pirates. This continued in the team’s series victory over the Giants.
Tucker made a pair of starts against the Giants and also had two pinch hit appearances. He finished the series 4-for-10, including a double and a triple. In 53 plate appearances since May 25th Tucker is now 15-for-47 with seven doubles, a triple, and five walks. Tucker has also hit the ball hard this season owning a 38.8% hard contact rate which is above the MLB average.
He has earned more starts with the Pirates.
Obviously, Kevin Newman has a spot in the Pirate middle infield locked down. He has had an excellent rookie campaign at shortstop and has been one of the best lead off hitters in the NL. That said, the Pirates can still get Tucker into the lineup by sliding Newman over to second base.
Current second base Adam Frazier has had a poor offensive season. He is slashing .278/.336/.417 with a 96 wRC+ this season. Due to a lack of power and a declining walk rate, Frazier’s wRC+ puts him four points below league average this season. Frazier has proven each of the last two seasons that he is not an every day player in the NL, but Tucker may be.
The Pirates drafted Tucker in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft for a reason. He has long been a defensive wizard and his offense is starting to pop now as well. It is time for the Pirates to give Tucker another look.