Stumpf's Talking Point: This is Tucker's make-or-break taken at PNC Park (Pirates)

DEJAN KOVACEVIC / DKPS

Cole Tucker.

With the Pirates expected to release minor-league rosters very soon – possibly even Friday – each minor-league affiliate has a temporary roster up on their team pages. Don’t take them all too seriously, though, because there are a few oddballs, like Cole Tucker going back to Altoona. That isn’t happening.

But Tucker spent the last month with a lot of players who will be going to Altoona. At the end of spring training, the Pirates opted to keep him in Bradenton, Fla. to take part of minor-league camp for what they called “skill development.” Unlike Jared Oliva, who also was left in Florida for a bit, Tucker never made the trip north to the alternate site.

Not a great start to what is looking like a make-or-break season.

Yes, Tucker has another option year remaining in 2022, but the Pirates are going to have a big class of prospects who will need to be added to the roster this winter. Mason Martin, Liover Peguero, Travis Swaggrety, Cal Mitchell, Cody Bolton, Tahnaj Thomas, Michael Burrows, Eddy Yean. It’s not like this last year where the Pirates only protected two new players from the Rule 5 draft. There could easily be seven or eight.

So if the Pirates aren’t sold on Tucker, knowing he only has one option year left and there are some middle infielders already on the roster, he could be a non-tender candidate.

Tucker has a good glove, good speed and the personality and charisma that could make him a face of the franchise. That last point is nice, but it’s not a substitute for OPS. If he can control his body better during his swing, then he could potentially have a breakout season still and reestablish his standing withing the organization. If not, Peguero and Nick Gonzales should be ready in 2022.

YOUR TURN: Is 2021 a make-or-break year for Tucker?

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