4. Cole Tucker, SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/3/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Bradenton Marauders, AA Altoona Curve
2017 Stats: .275/.358/.408, 510 PA, 6 HR, 47 SB, 55/101 BB/K
Info: Tucker really has not been healthy since being the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first round selection in the 2014 draft. Dealing with injuries has become such second nature for Tucker that he played much of 2017 with a broken thumb, yet still put up absolutely blistering numbers.
Tucker (…) played much of 2017 with a broken thumb, yet still put up absolutely blistering numbers
Tucker has long been in the shadow of fellow shortstop Newman, a level behind him along the developmental path, but his raw tools have always been louder, and 2017 saw Tucker start to unleash some of those tools, specifically his double plus speed, which is made even more impressive because he takes huge strides that belie his true speed, making him look like he’s not moving that fast as he motors from first to home on a long single.
As his arm has healed, Tucker’s defense has begun to show the above average to plus projection he had tagged on him as an amateur, flashing excellent range and the arm to accompany that range once he gobbles the ball up.
At the plate, he has impressive gap power now, with very good bat control. He still needs to work on his zone recognition, and he doesn’t show a ton of over-the-fence power, but with his speed and ability to smack the ball to the gaps, he’ll put himself into scoring position frequently.
Tucker should start the season in AA, but it would not surprise if he’s going to etch his name at the top of the “shortstop of the future” board in the Pittsburgh Pirates offices by the end of the season, which could be important with Jordy Mercer entering his walk season in 2018 and the door open for the starting job in 2019.
3. Shane Baz, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/17/1999 (18)
2017 teams/levels played for: Gulf Coast League Pirates
2017 Stats: 10 GS, 23 2/3 IP, 3.80 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 13.3% BB, 18.1% K
Info: Baz was highly recruited as a potential two-way collegiate player at TCU, but the Pittsburgh Pirates took him 12th overall and gave him an over-slot bonus to ensure he signed. Baz had plenty of helium late in the process as a pitcher with multiple pitches that rated plus and an idea of how to manipulate already as a high schooler.
Baz features a plus-plus fastball that sits around 95 with weight and movement that makes it incredibly difficult to square. He knows how to manipulate his fastball to get different movement and was toying with adding and subtracting velocity at points in the game as well.
His secondaries are led by both a curve and a slider, and both flash plus. His change is a work in progress, but it already shows excellent low movement. He has what has been graded as above-average to plus control by scouts.
While he could take a bit of time to develop, Baz has an incredible ceiling, and his feel for pitching is already advanced, which could allow the Pittsburgh Pirates to challenge him with assignments, so it would not surprise if Baz opens 2018 at low-A.
Next: #1 and #2