As we continue to march through the Minor Leagues every day of the week to keep you up to date. Matt Thompson (Triple-A and Low-A), Geoff Pontes (Double-A), and Rhys White (High-A) watch the games so you don’t have to. Onward!
Big League Debut: Cole Tucker, Pittsburgh Pirates
Sometimes injuries force teams to do things they likely don’t want to in the first place. Add “ineffectiveness" to the injury and you now have the recipe for unexpected call ups. This was the case for the Pirates when they recalled shortstop Cole Tucker on Saturday and promptly inserted him into the lineup as a leadoff hitter. Welcome to the big leagues, kid.
2019 International League Preview
I like to think of AAA more like a waiting room than a level per se, not every player even stops through AAA these days, and many are there for just a matter of weeks. It’s often rosters cluttered with failed prospects, long shots, and fringe MLB regulars that need a little seasoning. The International League, at least on paper far exceeds those expectations. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. technically highlighting, there’s a strong crop behind him in Bo Bichette, Nick Senzel, Touki Toussaint, Dylan Cease, Nate Lowe, and others. The first half of the year should be deep with prospect showdowns particularly those games in which Gwinnett is involved. The Braves affiliate boasts the most loaded rotation and staff in the minors with three Top 100 arms on the roster. Should be a fun group to follow as many of these future stars debut on the big stage.
