Carson Tucker
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| Photo by: MiLB.com |
Bio:
Age: 20
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Draft Profile: 1st round, 23rd pick of the 2020 draft by Cleveland
Drafted Out of: Mountain Pointe High School (Phoenix, AZ)
Career Stat Line: .139 AVG .281 OBP 1 HR 8 RBI 4 SB 0.942 Fielding %
Carson Tucker's journey to professional baseball was one he had a very direct vision of from a young age. Brother of Pittsburgh's 2014 first round pick Cole Tucker, Carson has also taken huge strides in achieving personal baseball aspirations.
The former Texas Longhorn commit was a four year member of the varsity baseball at Mountain Pointe HS in Phoenix, Arizona. Pro scouts were enamored by the high schooler's lean and projectable frame. He displayed good bat control, albeit with minimal power, and smooth playmaking ability in the field (Prospectslive). While he looked as young as he was, there were plenty of physical attributes to be excited over.
At 6'1" and 175 pounds, it was universally acknowledged that a good bit of physical maturity would need to occur as Carson ascended through the minor league system. The Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) saw him as very capable of doing that and selected Tucker as the 23rd pick in the 2020 draft, despite a shortened senior campaign. He slashed .390/5/68 in four varsity seasons on his way to becoming Cleveland's first pick (MaxPreps). He and Cole became the 12th pair of brothers selected in the first round of the MLB draft.
After signing a $2 million dollar bonus, the Guardians sent Carson down to Florida for rookie league. In his short stint there, he only hit for a .150 average with one homer and four RBI. He did have more walks then strikeouts however, an encouraging development on any level. Cleveland was ready to promote Tucker after the six games in the Sunshine State to their low-A affiliate Lynchburg Hillcats for the 2022 season.
Unfortunately, his time with the Hillcats has been up and down. After starting on a 2-24 streak, Tucker found himself on the injured list with a strained forearm. Luckily, it wasn't a lingering concern and he was able to bounce back on the field by the end of June.
Since his return, the 20 year-old has shown some improvements overall. Playing predominantly second base and shortstop, the Arizona native has been improving at the plate and playing with a steady hand in the field. While it's been slow to come together thus far, you can see signs of growth in his performance.
We got to see him play twice in Delmarva this year, including when Lynchburg clinched their first-half playoff berth. In that game, Carson was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, after easily one of the worst check swing called strikes I've ever witnessed. An entertaining and highly justified ejection. He's back playing in Delmarva again this week, most likely for the last time as he continues his rise to the majors. And we at Chopping Lines are excited to continue following that rise.
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@Choppinglines
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