Pirates' Tucker Won’t Change His Game

BRADENTON, Fla.—Shoulder surgery is delaying Cole Tucker’s development as a prospect, but he insists it is not going to slow him down once he returns to the field.

The 19-year-old shortstop had a torn labrum repaired in his right shoulder last August, ending his first full professional season after 73 games with low Class A West Virginia. He was the Pirates’ first-round draft pick—24th overall—in 2014 from Mountain Pointe High in Phoenix.

Tucker’s rehab has gone so well that he is hopeful of returning sometime in May at high Class A Bradenton. He is getting anxious to hit the field after missing his last game on July 28.

“I’m just going to play like I used to,” Tucker said. “I’ll play with a lot of energy, like my hair’s on fire, and have a lot of fun. Obviously, having surgery (stinks). Going through rehab (stinks). But when I get back to playing, I’m going to try to have more fun than everybody else.”

Tucker batted .293/.322/.377 with two home runs and 25 stolen bases in 329 plate appearances in the South Atlantic League. While many teenage shortstops rack up high error totals as they get acclimated to professional baseball, Tucker had a reasonable 13 during his 69 games.

That performance is why the Pirates have no plans of moving Tucker off shortstop despite the surgery. They love his athleticism, range and actions at the position, and believe his arm strength will return in time.

“I think that through this, I’ve done what it takes to stay at shortstop,” Tucker said. “That’s where I want to play. That’s where I’ve always played. It’s where I’m most comfortable.”

PITTBURGERS

• Wyatt Mathisen began taking ground balls at first base to increase his versatility. The Pirates drafted Mathisen, 22, in the second round in 2012 as a catcher from Calallen High in Texas then moved him to third base in 2014. He has hit .268/.346/.339 with just eight home runs in 1,249 plate appearances during his four-year career.

• Elias Diaz, who won the Captain’s Catcher Award last season as the top defensive catcher in the minor leagues, was tutored by former Pirates catchers Manny Sanguillen and Mike LaValliere, who were in spring training as special instructors. Diaz is expected to begin the season back at Triple-A Indianapolis and ranks as the No. 10 prospect in the Pirates’ system.