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Cole Tucker

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For other uses, see Cole Tucker (disambiguation).

Cole Tucker
Tucker with the Indianapolis Indians in 2021
Free agent
Shortstop / Outfielder
Born: (1996-07-03) July 3, 1996 (age 28)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 20, 2019, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.216
Home runs5
Runs batted in40
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
18U Baseball World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2013 Taichung Team

Cole Bryson Tucker (born July 3, 1996) is an American professional baseball shortstop and outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels.

Amateur career

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Tucker attended Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he played for the school's baseball team.[1] He played for the United States national baseball team in the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup.[2] He committed to play college baseball at the University of Arizona.[3]

Professional career

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Pittsburgh Pirates

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The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Tucker in the first round, with the 24th overall selection, of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He signed on June 12, 2014 for a signing bonus worth $1,800,000,[5] and spent 2014 with the Gulf Coast League Pirates,[6] where he batted .267 with a .724 OPS. He had been committed to play college baseball for the Arizona Wildcats.[7] Tucker spent 2015 with the West Virginia Power where he posted a .293 batting average along with 25 stolen bases and 13 doubles.[8] Tucker returned to the Power in 2016, and was later promoted to the Bradenton Marauders, where he batted a combined .242 with two home runs and 27 runs batted in (RBIs) between both teams. In 2017, he began the season with Bradenton and was promoted to the Altoona Curve in July. In 110 total games, Tucker posted a .275 batting average, six home runs, 50 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases in the 2017 campaign.[9]

MLB.com ranked Tucker as Pittsburgh's fifth-best prospect going into the 2018 season.[10] The Pirates added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[11] He opened the 2019 season with the Indianapolis Indians. On April 20, he was called up to the major league roster.[12] He made his major league debut that afternoon versus the San Francisco Giants. During that game Tucker got his first major league hit in his third at bat, hitting a two-run home run off Derek Holland over the center field wall at PNC Park to give the Pirates a 3–1 lead. The home run became the game-winning hit after the game was called due to rain.[13] In June, the Pirates optioned Tucker to Indianapolis.[14]

In 2020, the Pirates played Tucker as an outfielder,[15] as he slashed .211/.266/.361.[16] The Pirates optioned Tucker to Indianapolis to start the 2021 season. He played in 13 games for the Pirates in May and July, and another 30 games after he was recalled in August. In 2021, he batted .222/.298/.342 in 43 games.[17]

Tucker with the Altoona Curve in 2018

In 2022, Tucker appeared in 18 games for the Pirates, playing second base, shortstop, and right field. He batted .175 before being optioned to Indianapolis on May 12.[18] The Pirates designated Tucker for assignment on May 30.[19]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On June 5, 2022, the Arizona Diamondbacks claimed Tucker off of waivers and optioned him to the Reno Aces of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.[20] On July 8, Tucker was outrighted by the Diamondbacks.[21] He elected free agency after the 2022 season.

Colorado Rockies

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On December 7, 2022, Tucker signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies.[22] He began the 2023 season with the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, playing in 58 games and hitting .311/.420/.460 with 5 home runs and 34 RBI. On August 7, 2023, the Rockies selected Tucker's contract, adding him to the major league roster.[23] In 3 games for Colorado, he went 3–for–7 with 2 RBI and a walk. On August 14, he was designated for assignment following Sean Bouchard's activation from the injured list.[24] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Albuquerque on August 17.[25] On September 5, Tucker was selected back to the major league roster.[26] He was designated for assignment a second time on September 11, after Kris Bryant was activated from the injured list.[27] Tucker was again outrighted to Albuquerque after clearing waivers on September 14.[28] On October 4, Tucker elected free agency.[29]

Los Angeles Angels

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On January 28, 2024, Tucker signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[30] Unable to make the Mariners roster during spring training, he was granted his release on March 18.[31]

On April 10, 2024, Tucker signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[32] In 10 games for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, he batted .313 with one home run and five RBI. On April 29, Tucker had his contract selected to the major league roster.[33] In 24 games, he hit .180/.263/.300 with three RBI and three stolen bases. On June 17, Tucker was designated for assignment by the Angels.[34] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Salt Lake on June 20.[35] Tucker elected free agency on October 1.[36]

Personal life

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Tucker grew up as a fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks.[37] His father is African American and his mother is European American.[38] His brother Carson was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the first round of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[39]

In 2020, Tucker began dating actress Vanessa Hudgens.[40] The pair married on December 2, 2023, in Tulum, Mexico.[41] The couple had their first child in late June or early July 2024.[42]

References

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  1. ^ Skoda, Jason P. (April 3, 2013). "Baseball: Tucker's defense, energy help shape MP's approach | Sports". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  2. ^ Odegard, Kyle (August 22, 2013). "Mountain Pointe SS Cole Tucker makes Team USA". East Valley Tribune. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  3. ^ "Cole Tucker Class of 2014 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA". Perfect Game.
  4. ^ "Pirates select high school shortstop Tucker in first round of MLB draft". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 5, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  5. ^ "Pirates Agree With Cole Tucker For $1.8 M – Pirates Prospects". June 9, 2014. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014.
  6. ^ "First-round pick Tucker agrees to terms with Bucs". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  7. ^ Bartel, Jason (June 10, 2014). "Arizona's two first-round commits sign pro deals". Azdesertswarm.com. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  8. ^ "Cole Tucker". milb.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "Cole Tucker Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  10. ^ "New No. 1 Keller leads Pirates Top 30 Prospects list". MLB.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  11. ^ Berry, Adam (November 20, 2018). "Pirates add four prospects to 40-man roster". MLB.com. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  12. ^ Bumbaca, Chris (April 20, 2019). "Pirates' Tucker, Reynolds get the call". MILB.com. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  13. ^ "Mountain Pointe alum hits game-winning home run in 1st game". KNXV. April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  14. ^ "Tucker Taking Option to Indianapolis in Stride".
  15. ^ "Tucker gaining confidence, range in outfield". MLB.com.
  16. ^ "Cole Tucker among most recent players cut from Pirates camp". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  17. ^ "Pirates a to Z: Cole Tucker finally found his groove at the plate, now must find a position". December 2021.
  18. ^ "Cole Tucker's demotion from Pirates to Triple-A opens door for Rodolfo Castro". May 12, 2022.
  19. ^ "Pirates Designate Cole Tucker For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  20. ^ "Diamondbacks claim Cole Tucker from Pirates". CBS News. June 5, 2022.
  21. ^ McDonald, Darragh (July 8, 2022). "Diamondbacks Outright Cole Tucker". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  22. ^ Anthony Franco (December 7, 2022). "Rockies, Cole Tucker Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  23. ^ "Rockies' Cole Tucker: Joins big club". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  24. ^ "Rockies' Cole Tucker: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  25. ^ "Rockies Outright Cole Tucker". mlbtraderumors.com. August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  26. ^ "Rockies' Cole Tucker: Selected from Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  27. ^ "Rockies' Cole Tucker: Removed from 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  28. ^ "Rockies' Cole Tucker: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  29. ^ "Cole Tucker: Becomes free agent". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Mariners Sign Cole Tucker to Minors Contract". January 28, 2024.
  31. ^ "Mariners Grant Cole Tucker His Release". MLB Trade Rumors. March 18, 2024.
  32. ^ "Transactions".
  33. ^ "Angels Designate Aaron Hicks For Assignment, Select Cole Tucker". mlbtraderumors.com. April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  34. ^ "Angels Designate José Suarez, Cole Tucker For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "Angels Place Jose Soriano On Injured List, Outright Cole Tucker". mlbtraderumors.com. June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  36. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-10-01
  37. ^ "'A Dream Come True' Pirates Rookie Cole Returns Home, Hits Home Run". May 19, 2019.
  38. ^ Biertempfel, Rob. "'It's become my thing': Cole Tucker's amazing hair..." The Athletic.
  39. ^ Obert, Richard. "Mountain Pointe's Carson Tucker hopes to follow brother Cole's path to MLB". The Arizona Republic.
  40. ^ Hendricks, Jaclyn (November 23, 2020). "Twitter stunned by Pirates player Cole Tucker being linked to Vanessa Hudgens". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  41. ^ "Vanessa Hudgens Marries Professional Baseball Player Cole Tucker in Mexico: Sources". People. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "Vanessa Hudgens And Cole Tucker Welcome Their First Child". Times Entertainment. July 4, 2024.
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