Pirates sign 2014 first round Draft pick Cole Tucker

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have signed shortstop Cole Tucker, who was the 24th overall selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Senior Vice President and General Manager Neal Huntington and Pirates Director of Scouting Joe DelliCarri.

The switch-hitting Tucker hit .404 (34-for-84) with eight doubles, four triples, five home runs, 30 RBI and 13 stolen bases for Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, AZ, this past season.

"Today is another great day in the process of procuring talent for the Pirates organization," said DelliCarri. "We are excited to be able to have the opportunity to grow and develop the skillsets Cole Tucker brings to the game of baseball on and off the field. He is a very passionate and talented young man that we believe will flourish in our system."

Tucker, who was recently rated as the second-best High School player in the state of Arizona, was also a member of the 2013 USA Baseball 18U National Team that beat Japan, 3-2 to win the 2013 World Cup in Taiwan last September.

Tucker will begin his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Pirates.

The Pirates have now signed 13 players from the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.