COLE TUCKER NEWS

Pittsburgh Pirates: Cole Tucker’s Potential Role For 2021 Cole Tucker showed off a lot of potential in 2019, but after struggling in a utility role in 2020, what could be his role for the Pittsburgh...

NOVEMBER 14, 2020 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Pittsburgh Pirates News: Cole Tucker Returning to the Infield? Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates moved one of their shortstops into the outfield. It appears he could be finding his way back onto the dir...

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • RUMBUNTER.COM

Could move back to infield Manager Derek Shelton said that he considers Tucker (concussion) an infielder even though the 24-year-old played nearly exclusively in the outfield in 2020, the Pittsburgh Tribune-...

Impact The manager added that Tucker could play either second base or shortstop. He slashed .220/.252/.275 with one homer and one stolen base in 116 plate appearances. While Tucker made a mostly smooth transition into the outfield, his ineffectiveness at the plate (including a 5:31 BB:K) draws into question the long-term viability of his potential role as a starter, regardless of where he plays on the diamond.

OCTOBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Steven Brault 2-hits Cardinals, ending Pirates' 8-game skid

Steven Brault pitched a two-hitter for his first career complete game, Gregory Polanco hit a three-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped an eight-game skid with a 5-1 victor...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sidelined with concussion Tucker was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Thursday.

Impact Tucker saw a fair amount of playing time recently as he started in four of the last five games. However, he'll now be sidelined with a concussion. With just 11 games remaining in the regular season, it's unclear whether Tucker will return to the field in 2020.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hits rough patch Tucker went 0-for-2 with a walk in an 11-0 loss to the Royals on Sunday.

Impact He's hitting .200 (6-for-30) with no extra-base hits or stolen bases in September. Tucker played three innings at shortstop in Sunday's blowout, moving to the infield for the first time in 2020. The 24-year-old averaged 41 stolen bases in the minor leagues in 2017 and 2018, but has swiped just one bag in 90 MLB contests. He slashed .266/.339/.374 in parts of six minor league campaigns, but if he doesn't steal then his fantasy value is limited.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. righty in second straight Tucker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Impact In a roundabout way, Tucker has seemingly lost hold of an everyday role following Ke'Bryan Hayes' promotion to the big leagues last week. With Hayes settling in as the Pirates' regular third baseman, Erik Gonzalez has shifted from the hot corner to shortstop, Kevin Newman has shifted from shortstop to second base, and Adam Frazier has moved from the keystone to the outfield. Tucker thus finds himself as the odd man out of the outfield for the second game in a row, with both absences coming against right-handed pitchers. The switch-hitting Tucker should still have a path to playing regularly versus southpaws.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Tuesday Tucker is not in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.

Impact Tucker had been emerging as the Pirates' primary center fielder, though he's now been on the bench for three of the team's last four games. With a .242/.270/.305 slash line, it's hard to argue he deserves an everyday role. Bryan Reynolds slides to center for this contest, with Adam Frazier moving out to left and Kevin Newman starting at second.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Goldschmidt, Cardinals tighten NL Central race, top Cubs

Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates score twice in 9th, rally past Reds 3-2

Erik Gonzalez’s sacrifice fly capped a two-run ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not in Saturday's lineup Tucker is not starting Saturday against the Reds.

Impact Tucker hits the bench for the second game in a row. Anthony Alford starts in center field in his place, starting for the fourth time in five games.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Game 2 Tucker isn't in the lineup for Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Impact Tucker went 1-for-3 with one strikeout in Game 1 of Friday's twin bill, and he'll take a breather for the nightcap. Anthony Alford will start in center field.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in pair Thursday Tucker went 2-for-5 with two singles, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.

Impact Tucker picked up his sixth and seventh RBI with a two-run single in the sixth. The 24-year-old is hitting .235/.267/.306 on the campaign and should continue to receive the bulk of the time in center field going forward.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Pete Alonso hits 2-run shot in 10th, Mets beat Yankees 9-7

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

New father Reynolds homers as Pirates top Cubs 6-2

First-time father Bryan Reynolds hit a three-run homer in his return from paternity leave to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 6-2

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Arcia's pinch hit in 8th lifts Brewers over Pirates 6-5

Orlando Arcia’s pinch-hit single with two outs in the eighth inning drove in the tiebreaking run as the Milwaukee Brewers slipped past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5 on Monday night

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sogard bails out Hader, lifts Brewers with 1st walkoff HR

Eric Sogard bailed out All-Star closer Josh Hader by hitting first career walkoff home run, a two-run shot that lifted the Milwaukee Brewers over the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6

AUGUST 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yankees beat Mets 2-1 to stop 7-game slide

AUGUST 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gyorko, Burnes come up big as Brewers trounce Pirates 9-1

Jedd Gyorko homered twice and Corbin Burnes struck out 10 in six innings, helping the Milwaukee Brewers pound the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1

AUGUST 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Held out Friday Tucker is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Tucker is in line to see more action in the Pirates' outfield following the trade of Jarrod Dyson, but that won't be the case Friday, as he will be held out after starting four straight games. Jason Martin will enter the lineup in Tucker's place.

AUGUST 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

More opportunity in outfield Tucker, who has started eight of the last 11 games, figures to see continued steady playing time following Friday's trade of center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

Impact Tucker is batting .323 in 31 at-bats since Aug. 14. He's looked more comfortable defensively in center field, too. With Dyson dealt to the White Sox, Tucker should get the majority of starts in center, though recent waiver pickup Anthony Alford could also see the occasional start. The team also recalled outfielder Jason Martin on Friday. While Tucker has looked better at the plate recently, he still has just three extra-base hits and one stolen base in 63 total plate appearances.

AUGUST 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Marmolejos' slam gives Mariners a twinbill split with Padres

AUGUST 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tucker sparks Pirates in 4-3 win over Cardinals Cole Tucker drove in the go-ahead run in extra innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 in...

AUGUST 27, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Tucker sparks Pirates in 4-3 win over Cardinals Cole Tucker drove in the go-ahead run in extra innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 in a doubleheader opener...

AUGUST 27, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Column: Extraordinary day hopefully leads US to better place

The day was extraordinary, unleashing a movement that played out in real time,

AUGUST 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS