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Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting the Team’s Bench
By Marty Leap
Infielder Cole Tucker
In a normal season, the best course of action for Cole Tucker would likely be to start the season at the Triple-A level to make sure he was playing every day and getting consistent at bats. However, without a Triple-A season to go play in, Tucker would be better served playing a bench role for the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is why he will likely crack the Opening Day roster.
Now, personally, I believe Tucker should be the team’s starting shortstop with Newman at second base. This is because Tucker is, by far, the best defensive shortstop in the entire Pirate system. Additionally, Newman is a better defender at second base than he is shortstop and the Pirates should be emphasizing run prevention this season.
Tucker’s overall offensive numbers in 2019 were not pretty owning a .211/.266/.361 slash line to go with a 61 wRC+ and a 25.2% strikeout rate. That said, there is plenty of reason for optimism. His 87.0 MPH exit velocity was right about league average, and his 36.5% hard contact rate was a full 2% higher than league average. He also finished the season strong slashing .293/.359/.517 to go with a 15.6% extra base hit rate in his final 64 plate appearances. Tucker was also one of the team’s best hitters in Grapefruit League action back in the spring, owning a .296/.387/.667 slash line to go with three home runs and a double in 27 plate appearances.
But the biggest reason Tucker is here is the glove. He owned a +2 DRS at shortstop last season. Both in Spring Training and now in camp this summer, he has absolutely dazzled with the glove. He has also started to work at second base. Tucker has the ability to be a Gold Glove shortstop one day and remains the Pirates’ shortstop of the future. For now, he’ll start the 2020 season as a back up middle infielder.