First-Round Bust Carson Tucker Resurfaces As San Diego Padres Prospect

BusinessSportsMoneyFirst-Round Bust Carson Tucker Resurfaces As San Diego Padres ProspectByChuck Murr,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Chuck analyzes and writes about baseball, soccer & other sports.Follow AuthorMay 19, 2026, 07:52pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.BRADENTON, FL: Shortstop Carson Tucker, age 17, throws to first base during the PDP League game at the IMG Academy on July 2, 2019. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty ImagesCarson Tucker is hitting .352 for the San Diego Padres’ Double-A team in San Antonio. His 31 hits in 27 games are seven shy of his meager total over three years in the Cleveland Guardians’ farm system.Tucker got $2 million to sign at age 18 as a first-round pick by the Cleveland Indians in 2020. He never earned a chance to play for them and was released by the renamed Guardians. He had hit .150, .137 and .200 in three brief stops totaling only 73 games for Cleveland’s low minor-league teams. A hand injury in 2021 and strained right forearm in 2022 derailed his development even more than not being able to play in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic that shut down all the minor leagues.Cleveland’s farm system in 2020-23 was loaded with middle infielders. Among those who made the majors are Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman, Ernie Clement, Jose Tena, Brayan Rocchio, Angel Martinez, Daniel Schneeman, Richie Palacios, Juan Brito and Jose Fermin. Tucker was released. The slender infielder did not give up after not playing at all in 2024. He played 18 games for Ogden (UT) in the independent Pioneer League in 2025, hitting .323 with 12 RBI.This past January, he signed a minor-league deal with the Padres. In 27 games for the San Antonio Missions of the Double-A Texas League, he has 31 hits in 84 at-bats and is 9-for-9 in steal attempts.The 2019 PDP LeagueTucker played in the in...