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Pittsburgh Pirates: Four Notable Players in DFA Limbo

By Noah Wright

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Cole Tucker #3 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 10, 2021 in New York City. The Pirates defeated the Mets 6-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Cole Tucker #3 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 10, 2021 in New York City. The Pirates defeated the Mets 6-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Cole Tucker

Another first-round pick that could be DFA’d is shortstop turned utility man Cole Tucker. Tucker was the team’s first round pick in 2014. Tucker was picked as a light-hitting glove first infielder, but he’s failed to make enough contact in the major leagues, or get on base at a fair enough rate, to justify staying on the 40-man roster as anything more than depth.

This season Tucker is batting .222/.297/.313 line, .272 wOBA, and 66 wRC+ in 111 plate appearances. Throughout his time in the major leagues, he has just a .257 wOBA and 57 wRC+ throughout 386 plate appearances. Throughout the minors, Tucker showed a strong ability to draw walks and put up a solid on-base percentage. For example, he has a strong 15.6% BB% and .350 OBP at Triple-A thiss year. However, he has a sub-.300 OBP and walk rate of just 6.7% in the majors.

The Pirates have tried to make him more versatile, playing him in the outfield. But he’s been a poor defender in the grass with -7 DRS and a -13.1 UZR/150. Tucker showed strong defense at shortstop throughout the minors and back in 2019, but has just -5 DRS and a -1.3 UZR/150 in 2021.

The one thing Tucker has going for him is his solid month of September. He’s put up a .264/.325/.375 line, .306 wOBA, and 91 wRC+. Not good numbers by any means, but if he could maintain a wRC+ in the 90-95 range while playing plus defense at shortstop, he’d probably be given a shot to remain with the club.

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But this is in just 80 plate appearances. A very small sample size. Tucker also plays a position with a ton of competition. Castillo, Castro, and Cruz have done well in their first taste of Triple-A action. Bae will probably start 2022 at Triple-A after a good season at Double-A. Marcano can also play both middle infield spots. With the highly regarded Nick Gonzales and Liover Peguero making their way up the system, the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to have to make room to accommodate all the middle infielders. Tucker may be one of the first to get eliminated.

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