Cole Tucker is a young baseball player who made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019. After spending the 2022 season with the Pirates, Tucker signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Colorado Rockies in December of that year.
However, on Wednesday, the Rockies announced that they had reassigned Tucker to minor-league camp. This blog post will explore what happened to Cole Tucker, from his background and early career to his signing with the Rockies and subsequent reassignment to the minors.
We’ll also discuss what this means for Tucker’s future and whether he might return to the majors in the near future.
Who is Cole Tucker?
Background Information
Cole Tucker is a professional baseball player who was born on July 3, 1996, in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix and was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft.
Tucker is a shortstop and outfielder, standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds.
Early Career
After being drafted by the Pirates, Tucker began his professional career in 2014, playing for the Gulf Coast League Pirates. In 2015, he played for the West Virginia Power, a Class A affiliate of the Pirates, and in 2016, he played for the Bradenton Marauders, a Class A-Advanced affiliate.
In 2017, he played for the Altoona Curve, a Double-A affiliate, and in 2018, he played for the Indianapolis Indians, a Triple-A affiliate.
Major League Debut
Tucker made his Major League debut with the Pirates on April 20, 2019, against the San Francisco Giants. He hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat, becoming the first Pirates player to do so in his MLB debut.
Tucker played in 56 games for the Pirates in 2019, batting .211 with 1 home run, 11 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases. He split the 2020 season between the Pirates and their alternate training site, playing in 26 games and batting .220 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs.
In 2021, Tucker played in 83 games for the Pirates, batting .203 with 3 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 6 stolen bases.
Tucker’s 2022 Season
Performance With the Pirates
In the 2022 season, Tucker played in 70 games for the Pirates, batting .219 with 2 home runs, 14 RBIs, and 6 stolen bases. He split time between shortstop and outfield, showcasing his versatility on the field.
While his numbers may not have been eye-popping, Tucker showed potential and continued development as a player.
Contract Negotiations With the Rockies
After becoming a free agent following the 2022 season, Tucker entered into contract negotiations with several teams, including the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies were interested in Tucker’s potential and versatility and offered him a one-year, minor-league contract in December 2022.
Signing With the Rockies
Tucker ultimately signed the one-year, minor-league contract with the Rockies, giving him the opportunity to develop his skills in the minor leagues and potentially earn a spot on the major league roster later in the season.
The contract was a low-risk move for the Rockies, as they could evaluate Tucker’s progress in the minor leagues and potentially add him to their major league roster later in the season.
Tucker’s signing with the Rockies was seen as a fresh start for the young player, who had struggled to establish himself as a regular in the Pirates’ lineup.
While he would begin the 2023 season in the minor leagues, Tucker had the potential to earn his way back to the major leagues and establish himself as a valuable contributor for the Rockies.
The Rockies Reassign Tucker to Minor-league Camp
Being reassigned to minor-league camp means that a player who was previously a part of the major league team is being sent down to the minor leagues to continue developing their skills.
In Tucker’s case, he had signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies, meaning that he was not guaranteed a spot on the major league roster. However, being reassigned to minor-league camp meant that he was not making the major league team out of spring training.
Possible Reasons for the Reassignment
There could be several reasons why the Rockies reassigned Tucker to minor-league camp. One possibility is that the team wanted him to continue developing his skills in the minor leagues before potentially promoting him to the major leagues later in the season.
Another reason could be that there simply wasn’t a spot for him on the major league roster at the moment, and the team wanted to give him more time to earn his way onto the team.
Reaction From Tucker and the Rockies Organization
While being reassigned to minor-league camp can be disappointing for a player, Tucker seemed to take the news in stride. He posted a message on his Instagram account saying that he was excited to continue working and improving in the minor leagues.
The Rockies organization also expressed confidence in Tucker’s abilities and potential. In a statement, Rockies manager, Bud Black, said, “Cole Tucker is a talented player with a bright future ahead of him. We look forward to watching him continue to develop and contribute to our organization.”
Overall, being reassigned to minor-league camp is not necessarily a setback for Tucker, but rather an opportunity for him to continue developing his skills and potentially earn his way onto the major-league roster later in the season.
What’s Next for Tucker?
Possibilities for the 2023 Season
With Tucker being reassigned to minor-league camp, it is likely that he will begin the 2023 season in the minor leagues. However, he will have the opportunity to continue working on his skills and potentially earn a call-up to the major leagues later in the season.
The Rockies could also use Tucker as a utility player, as he has shown the ability to play both shortstop and outfield.
How the Rockies Could Use Tucker in the Future
Assuming Tucker continues to develop his skills, the Rockies could use him in a variety of ways in the future. He has shown the ability to play multiple positions, which could make him a valuable utility player for the team.
Additionally, he has some speed on the bases, which could make him a valuable pinch-runner or base-stealer off the bench.
Potential for Tucker to Return to the Major Leagues
While being reassigned to minor-league camp is a setback for Tucker, it is not necessarily the end of his major league career. If he continues to work on his skills and perform well in the minor leagues, he could earn a call-up to the major leagues later in the season.
Additionally, injuries or other roster moves could open up a spot for him on the major league roster at any time. Overall, Tucker has the potential to return to the major leagues and establish himself as a valuable contributor for the Rockies in the future.
Cole Tucker’s Major League Statistics (as of End of 2022 Season)
| Year | Team | Games Played | At Bats | Hits | Home Runs | Runs Batted In (RBIs) | Batting Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | PIT | 56 | 165 | 37 | 2 | 11 | .211 |
| 2020 | PIT | 26 | 70 | 13 | 1 | 4 | .185 |
| 2021 | PIT | 49 | 127 | 28 | 2 | 10 | .220 |
| 2022 | PIT | 36 | 76 | 15 | 1 | 3 | .197 |
This table shows Cole Tucker’s statistics for each year that he played in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The columns display the year, the team he played for, the number of games played, at-bats, hits, home runs, runs batted in, and batting average. These statistics can help evaluate Tucker’s performance in the major leagues and track his progress over time.
FAQs
What position does Cole Tucker play?
Cole Tucker is primarily a shortstop, but he has also played outfield.
How old is Cole Tucker?
Cole Tucker was born on July 3, 1996, so he will turn 27 years old in 2023.
What is Cole Tucker’s career batting average?
As of the end of the 2022 season, Cole Tucker’s career batting average in the major leagues was .209.
Has Cole Tucker won any awards?
Cole Tucker has not yet won any major awards in his baseball career.
What was Cole Tucker’s draft position?
Cole Tucker was drafted in the first round (24th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 MLB draft.
What is Cole Tucker’s background?
Cole Tucker was born and raised in Arizona and attended Mountain Pointe High School. His father was a minor league coach, and he grew up playing baseball with his brother, who also played professionally.
Does Cole Tucker have any social media accounts?
Yes, Cole Tucker is active on Instagram and Twitter. His handles are @cotuck on Instagram and @cotuck on Twitter.
Conclusion
Cole Tucker is a talented baseball player who signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies in December of 2022. He was recently reassigned to minor-league camp, meaning he did not make the major league team out of spring training.
However, this is not necessarily a setback for Tucker, as he has the opportunity to continue developing his skills in the minor leagues and potentially earn a call-up to the major leagues later in the season.
With his versatility on the field and potential for growth, Tucker could be a valuable contributor to the Rockies in the future.
