The Pirates Prospects 2017 Prospect Guide is now available for pre-sales. The book will be released the week before Spring Training, and we are currently in the process of making the final changes with editing and formatting.
The book features prospect reports on everyone in the system, the 2017 top 50 prospects, and the most comprehensive coverage of the Pirates’ farm system that you can find. Subscribers to the site get discounted books, with Top Prospect subscribers getting $10 off, and Annual subscribers getting $5 off. The eBook will be released when the book is released, and will also come with discounts. Details on the promotions can be found on the products page, and you can subscribe to the site or upgrade your current plan on the subscriptions page.
While the top 50 prospects are exclusive to the book, we will be releasing the top 20 prospects over the next few weeks as a countdown to the start of Spring Training, and to give a preview of the release of the book. We will be wrapping up on Monday, February 13th. The reports will only be available to site subscribers, including those with a monthly plan. You can subscribe here, and if you like these reports, be sure to purchase your copy of the book on the products page of the site to get much more analysis on every player in the system.
To recap the countdown so far:
20. Alen Hanson, 2B
17. Elias Diaz, C
16. Max Kranick, RHP
13. Clay Holmes, RHP
10. Gage Hinsz, RHP
We continue the countdown with the number 6 prospect, Cole Tucker.
6. Cole Tucker, SS
Following the 2015 season, there were questions about whether Tucker would be able to play shortstop for the long-term. He went down at the end of the 2015 season with labrum surgery, which is a career killer for pitchers due to how it can restrict arm strength. In Tucker’s case, if he didn’t recover that strength, he was looking at a future on the other side of the bag.
Tucker recovered from the surgery better than anyone could have expected. He was originally set to be out 10-12 months, putting his return around June to August of 2016. Instead, he returned much earlier, getting back to official game action in early May, and showing no ill effects or reduced arm strength from the surgery. There was never any consideration for him moving to the other side of the bag, with the Pirates only having him focus on one position.
Tucker finds himself sandwiched between two very interesting shortstop prospects. Kevin Newman is ahead of him in Altoona, with Stephen Alemais behind him. Alemais has the best defense, Newman has the best offense, but Tucker might have the potential for the best mix of both. Tucker showed improvements defensively in 2016. By the end of the year he was looking smooth, taking great routes to the ball and making quick, clean transitions with his throws. He already looks ahead of Newman defensively at the position, which could give him the shortstop edge if they make the majors together.
Offense is Tucker’s issue right now. He shows flashes of potential, with a very hard hit on occasion. He will follow that up with four weak ground balls, lacking the consistency to be a solid hitter. Part of this is because he’s only 19 in High-A. The Pirates had him working on adjustments after the season, adding a leg kick to incorporate his lower half and use his big frame to generate consistent power.
Tucker could return to Bradenton for the start of the 2017 season, but if the new approach at the plate leads to better results, expect a move to Altoona. He is more raw than Newman, but could have more upside, with better defense, and a similar offensive value if that side of his game clicks.
Click Here to Purchase the Pirates Prospects 2017 Prospect Guide
