OnlyBucs

I wasn't a fan of drafting Cole Tucker. I know he was a high school kid, but he looked really scrawny. I just saw some video of him and he looks like he has filled out a lot.



Has anyone see him play? Does he stick out on the field? Does he pull the ball? The video I saw was a lot of opposite field hitting.



Can he be like one of these SS we are seeing now?

I don't know which prospect has the highest ceiling in the organization, but I certainly think Tucker has the broadest ceiling. If he doesn't work at SS he could possibly play at 3B or anywhere in the outfield. He has a solid swing from both sides of the plate, he runs like a deer, and he has a big frame ----- wouldn't be surprised if he gets even bigger. If his hitting continues to develop, I think he will be a star

67604C5B4D2E0 wrote: I don't know which prospect has the highest ceiling in the organization, but I certainly think Tucker has the broadest ceiling.   If he doesn't work at SS he could possibly  play at 3B or anywhere in the outfield.   He has a solid swing from both sides of the plate, he runs like a deer, and he has a big frame ----- wouldn't be surprised if he gets even bigger.   If his hitting continues to develop, I think he will be a star


Is there a major Leaguer now that you compare him to?



Where is he from Jordy Mercer to Carlos Correa?

6F646C6065647F3A3C4B726A6364642568640B0 wrote: I don't know which prospect has the highest ceiling in the organization, but I certainly think Tucker has the broadest ceiling.   If he doesn't work at SS he could possibly  play at 3B or anywhere in the outfield.   He has a solid swing from both sides of the plate, he runs like a deer, and he has a big frame ----- wouldn't be surprised if he gets even bigger.   If his hitting continues to develop, I think he will be a star


Is there a major Leaguer now that you compare him to?



Where is he from Jordy Mercer to Carlos Correa?




Defensively I could not give a ready-made comparison, but offensively the player fixated in my head is Christian Yelich—a player discussed some here recently. It starts with their obvious body comparisons. And you are right, Tucker has really started to fill-out. Originally I was concerned about Tucker’s bat, but his entire approach looked much more refined in 2017. In his early days he seemed to drop his hands and just punch hit. Now he appears to retain his balance, leverage his lower body, and finish with an extension he lacked before. That likely reconciles with his ability to drive the ball (11 triples) and his modest increase in HR power. He hit some long balls though, so he has at least some pop in there. Remember, Yelich only hit 21 and 18 HR the past two seasons.



Defensively, the consensus from the scouts seems to be he has good range, good hands, and should be able to stick at SS. Although their styles may differ, I would be happy if he turns out to be as good as Jordy in the field. Would everyone be happy if we ended up with Yelich’s bat and Jordy’s glove at SS?

Of course that would be great.  That would be a 4+ WAR shortstop.   



Unfortunately the stat sheets aren't remotely similar between Tucker and Yelich.   Yelich was a much much better hitter than Tucker as a 19 and 20 year old.   Of course Yelich was a decent starter in the majors as a 21 year old too so.... yeah I don't see it at all.



But sure.  If Tucker hits like a star, and fields a touch below average, I'd be elated!



I do think he's the best looking future SS for us.  Big year for him. 

If Tucker emerges as a decent fielder who provides more offense than Mercer that would be a real shot in the arm for this franchise. Pirates haven't had a good hitter at SS (except for one year by Wilson) in a long time.



And, trying to get out of my negative mind-set about the Bucs (and yes, I realize how many ifs I am suggesting) --- if Moran can pop 20+ HR's, Tucker arrives and is a plus on offense, Moroff takes over 2nd and hits 20 HR's, and Bell continues to develop and delivers 30 HR's, the Bucs would have the type of infield that could actually be a difference maker.



Lastly, I am now leaving my fantasy world and return you to your regular programming.

4D444C5D53290 wrote: Of course that would be great.  That would be a 4+ WAR shortstop.   



Unfortunately the stat sheets aren't remotely similar between Tucker and Yelich.   Yelich was a much much better hitter than Tucker as a 19 and 20 year old.   Of course Yelich was a decent starter in the majors as a 21 year old too so.... yeah I don't see it at all.



But sure.  If Tucker hits like a star, and fields a touch below average, I'd be elated!



I do think he's the best looking future SS for us.  Big year for him. 


Well I could have compared him to Rusty Staub, but I think Dog would have been disappointed.



You are right that Tucker didn't hit well his first few years, but he had a big uptick in 2017. If he builds on that I do think we will be pleased.



Meanwhile, I am moving on to catcher. I going to see if I can come up with a concoction that turns Jacob Stallings into some combination of Lance Parrish and Tony Pena.

dmetz, do you like any young players for the Pirates? You seem to put them all down. The cupboard can't be that bare.



I don't see the minor leaguers play, why I ask. I live in Pittsburgh. I see them at PNC Park. I haven't been to Altoona in years. And, No, Possum, I have no interest in the Black Bears.

343F373B3E3F246167102931383F3F7E333F500 wrote: dmetz, do you like any young players for the Pirates?  You seem to put them all down. The cupboard can't be that bare.



I don't see the minor leaguers play, why I ask. I live in Pittsburgh. I see them at PNC Park. I haven't been to Altoona in years. And, No, Possum, I have no interest in the Black Bears.


You read what you want to read, and hear what you want to hear.   It always seems like I'm putting our prospects down because there has been organized pumping of our prospects for the past 5 years. There's a blogosphere largely dedicated to it.



The post you're responding to from me says nothing about Tucker not being a good prospect, does it? In fact, it specifically says I think he's our best SS prospect.   It just says that I don't believe he has or will have a bat comparable to Yelich.   



Y'all set the over/under so high on these guys that it's real easy to take the under.   



You think it's hating, when it's just realism

717870616F150 wrote: dmetz, do you like any young players for the Pirates?  You seem to put them all down. The cupboard can't be that bare.



I don't see the minor leaguers play, why I ask. I live in Pittsburgh. I see them at PNC Park. I haven't been to Altoona in years. And, No, Possum, I have no interest in the Black Bears.


You read what you want to read, and hear what you want to hear.   It always seems like I'm putting our prospects down because there has been organized pumping of our prospects for the past 5 years.  There's a blogosphere largely dedicated to it.



The post you're responding to from me says nothing about Tucker not being a good prospect, does it?  In fact, it specifically says I think he's our best SS prospect.   It just says that I don't believe he has or will have a bat comparable to Yelich.   



Y'all set the over/under so high on these guys that it's real easy to take the under.   



You think it's hating, when it's just realism


I just asked a question. I wasn't really talking about Tucker, just in general. There are some knowledgeable minor league people here. I enjoy their input. You just seem to never like a prospect, that's all.



Do you like any of them? Do you think any of them will be "stars"?