Pirates Prospects has learned that the Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted shortstops Kevin Newman, Cole Tucker and Stephen Alemais. Newman is headed to Indianapolis, Tucker will join Altoona and Alemais will be headed to Bradenton. All are expected to join their new teams tomorrow.
Newman hit .259/.310/.359 with Altoona this season after spending the second half of last year there. He has shown improved defense over last year, though the offensive stats have not been up to par until a recent hot streak. Newman has a .790 OPS in July.
Tucker has made significant improvements this season, hitting for more power, while looking better on defense and using his speed to his advantage. That last area is one part that has been missing from Newman’s game this season with just four steals and six total attempts. Tucker hit .285/.364/.426 in the pitcher friendly FSL, while leading the league with 36 stolen bases. He had a 13-game hit streak snapped today.
Alemais didn’t hit well at West Virginia, but he is the best defender of this trio and likely only trails Gift Ngoepe as the best defender in the system. Alemais has been at Pirate City rehabbing a hand injury the last few weeks, playing eight games in the GCL, so he is just traveling across town. While with West Virginia, he hit .223/.266/.380 in 29 games.
