Houston Astros: Five guys who need to step up for team’s playoff push
By T.A. Mock
Kyle Tucker, OF
We’ve seen this before, across the league, top prospects rake in the minors but struggle when they get their first taste in the majors. Tucker has been a top prospect for so long and has been in the organization so long that it’s hard to remember that he’s the youngest player in the AL when he’s up.
However, Tucker struggling for this long and this severely is something no one expected. He is hitting an abysmal .140/.246/.200. Yeah, you know you’re struggling when your slugging percentage is lower than your on-base percentage.
The rookie has only collected three RBIs, one stolen base, a double and a triple. He has yet to launch his first big league bomb. Yet, in the minors, he continues to rake. Before he was recalled earlier this week, he hit three homers in a week and was named to the prospect team of the week.
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The Houston Astros need Tucker to produce, plain and simple. He has a nice, laid-back playing style but, it has appeared at times that this has cost him hustle in the outfield. Granted, he also is still adjusting and getting used to the quirks of Minute Maid Park.
If Tucker can finally begin to translate what he does in the Minors to the Majors then it’ll be a major boon for the Astros. The way he produces in all facets of the game for Fresno is needed in Houston. Hopefully, he turns it on here soon.