PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As he continues to work on major swing adjustments, Cole Tucker will now do so again at the Major League level. Tucker called up on Tuesday before the game with the Braves after injuries to Phillip Evans and Gregory Polanco.
"As a human being, as a baseball player you want to be in the big leagues for as long as you can, every day," Tucker said.
Tucker has hits in four straight games, raising his average to .214 with a pair of home runs and 10 RBI. Tucker does have an on-base percentage of .333 and he says he's having good at bats even though the stat sheets don't show it and he wants to continue that growth here.
He's sticking with the plan despite days were he doesn't see the results, making an analogy to try and help the baseball reporters understand.
"It would be like you writing good papers and no one reading them," Tucker said. "That would suck."
"I'm having good at bats. Our Triple A hitting coach is awesome, Jon Nunnally, he said 'you look sexy, keep doing it'. Trying to hold onto that and keep that rolling here."
Pirates were firm they wanted Tucker to work exclusively at shortstop in the majors and AAA, but manager Derek Shelton said before the game Tucker could get time in the outfield. When we spoke with Tucker that was news to him. He has yet to talk with the manager, but didn't seem bothered by it.
"Whatever, the answer never really changes," Tucker said. "Whatever I'm asked to do I will do. I will try my best at it."
The 25-year-old former Pirates first round pick may have a secret weapon or piece of lumber for this opportunity in the majors. His bats didn't make it from Indianapolis, so he's borrowing Ben Gamel's. The lefty drove in six runs Monday night and is hitting .421 this month with four home runs.
"It's similarly shaped to mine, so I was like 'hey dude, stole your bat'," Tucker said of his conversation with Gamel. "It's all good. I could steal his car right now and he would not care."
If the magic translates, maybe this time the just-turned 25-year-old sticks in the Major Leagues.
