How They Fared No.1: Joe Tucker

Note: Being the baseball zealot that I am, I decided it would be interesting to do a series of post highlighting former Kent State baseball players who are now affiliated with major league clubs. Each post will highlight a former Kent State baseball player and "How They Fared" — catchy name huh? — throughout their major or minor league seasons. today marks the debut of the series with former Flash Joe Tucker. Let me know what you think or ways we could make it better at jfortune@thebeaconjournal.com

JOE TUCKER, util.
West Michigan White Caps
Class A Midwest League (Detroit Tigers)

Tucker is a classic example of an overachiever. A 24th round pick in the 2006 draft, Tucker is making a name for himself in the Tiger’s organization as a utility man. He doesn’t strike out much (53 in 385 career at bats in the minors), but also doesn’t hit for much power (four homers).

He has played well enough to get some spot duty at Double A Erie this year, but didn’t fare to well there (.167 average in nine games). He should get another opportunity at Double A this season.

Tucker, who has a career minor league average of .281, remains a long shot to make it to the Tigers, but is definitely pleading his case.

This is one that I have always followed fairly closely for a couple of reasons other than the obvious KSU connection. I know Tucker and have played against him on numerous occasions.

His Canton Central Catholic Crusaders always crushed my Canton Timken Trojans in high school. He also had a knack for making us look bad in pick up games behind the J. Babe Stearn Center in the southwest end of Canton, but that is a story for another day.

The Tigers also drafted another Canton guy, in the second round, that I played against in high school. Ronnie Bourquin, A Canton South graduate and All-Big 10 player at Ohio State, seems to be squandering his opportunities with the Tigers as he hit just .235 and virtually no power (three homers this season at West Michigan) and legal problems as well.

While Bourquin was the more heralded pick of the two, Tucker has already seemingly passed him up.