Houston Astros Call Up Kyle Tucker
This morning the Houston Astros have made the decision to call up their #1 prospect and former 2015 #5 overall pick, Kyle Tucker.
Tucker was one of two Top-5 picks the Astros possessed in 2015, with #2 overall being used to take Alex Bregman. Tucker was viewed as one of the purest hitters in the draft class out of Plant High School in Tampa, Florida when the Astros made the decision to take him. Tucker signed for $4M to forego his college commitment to the University of Florida.
The brother of 2012 Astros 7th Round pick and current Braves farmhand Preston Tucker, Kyle Tucker is rated the #8 prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline and showed why in Spring Training when he hit around .400 and knocked in 21 RBI in only 41 AB, including a grand slam, causing fans to wonder if he would make the Opening Day Roster. He started the season in AAA, however, but caught fire and up until now has lit AAA up, batting to the tune of .306/.371/.520 with 14 HR, 66 RBI (second in AAA next to AJ Reed with 69), 24 2B, and an impressive 14 SB.
Tucker gets the call at 21 years old. The youngster will be given an opportunity to lock down his spot in LF and can do it without the pressure of over-performing like Astros prospects have faced in the past. His bat in the lineup gives the Astros another weapon to use as they head deep into the summer looking to continue their pull away in the Division in their quest to be the first team since the ‘98-‘00 Yankees to win the World Series in back-to-back years. Congratulations to Kyle Tucker on his call-up to the Houston Astros!
