Dive, Tuck & roll: Cole logs wild grab, hits GS

PITTSBURGH -- The 2021 season began in a way that Cole Tucker didn’t hope or expect it would.

After what was effectively a three-shortstop battle during Spring Training, Tucker was the only one who didn’t make the Opening Day roster, nor did he begin the season on a Minor League roster. Instead, he was sent to the Minor League complex in Bradenton, Fla., to work on “skills development,” as the club termed it.

The journey only made Friday night all the more sweet, as Tucker brought both sides of his game together in one emphatic performance to propel the Pirates to a 9-2 win over the Reds at PNC Park.

Despite being a natural shortstop, Tucker has been given opportunities in the outfield this season as the Pirates try to make him a more versatile option. And though Tucker started at second base Friday, a pop fly from Tucker Barnhart with Eugenio Suárez on first base sent him back to his second home in right field in the seventh inning.

“I turned around and I was just looking straight up, and I could see the ball back here, kind of like a North Star,” Tucker said, pointing over his shoulder. “It was like way back here, but it just stayed there as long as I kept running, and I was like, 'Oh my God, I might actually catch it.'

“And I just laid out at the last second.”

What happened? The ball ended up nestling into the glove for Tucker, who had to cover 88 feet while looking backward. Not only that, but he was able to think quickly and send the ball to first base for an inning-ending double play.

“You're not going to see a better play than that,” manager Derek Shelton said. “That was unbelievable.”

It wasn’t the only defensive gem for Tucker, who also tracked down a foul popup from Jonathan India one batter after Wil Crowe (six scoreless innings) allowed his only hit of the game. Ranging to his left, Tucker called off first baseman Colin Moran and tracked the baseball down 97 feet for another diving catch.

“I had an angle on it and I was like, 'I think I'm going to be able to get to this,'” Tucker said. “I turned on my outfield hat for a second.”

But maybe the most cathartic moment of Tucker’s all-around game came with his bat. Pittsburgh had rallied for three runs to break a 1-1 tie in the inning before the Pirates’ second baseman stepped to the plate and sent a ball a Statcast-projected 395 feet over the Clemente Wall in right field to break things wide open. It was his second homer this season, both of which have come in the past week, and his first career grand slam.

Tucker is peaking offensively at the right time, and the Pirates hope he can carry it into the offseason. But even when things have been a grind, as they have been most of the season, he’s never let it show and he’s never let it get in the way of who he is.

“He works his butt off,” Crowe said. “Cole, he’s one of the best teammates we have in there. I love him to death. To see him have that tonight -- have a couple of plays in the field and hit the grand slam to top it all off, it was awesome to watch.”

After the game ended, Tucker told AT&T SportsNet that there were “moments as a big leaguer where you don’t feel like a big leaguer.” Some days the bat feels 40 pounds heavy and the fastballs look 200 mph.

“Everyone in the big leagues will tell you, everyone has days where they get their heads smashed in,” Tucker said. “So to have days where you show up and ball out, man, it really keeps you going. It does wonders for your confidence.”

And for the first time this season, the crowd at PNC Park had a reason to chant, “Tucker! Tucker! Tucker!” across the ballpark. It’s reassuring for Tucker as he tries to end the year on the highest note possible.

“That felt really good,” Tucker said. “When my head hits the pillow tonight, that's the last thing I'll be thinking about. More so than the diving play or the homer."