The Astros have designated outfielder Preston Tucker for assignment, per a club announcement. His roster spot will go to just-signed reliever Hector Rondon.
Tucker, a seventh-round pick in the 2012 draft, has generally posted strong numbers during his rise through the Houston system. He reached the majors in 2015, hitting for enough power (including 13 home runs in 323 plate appearances) to produce at just over the league-average rate despite carrying only a .297 on-base percentage. But Tucker struggled badly in the following season and has not been back to the big leagues since.
In 2017, playing exclusively at Triple-A, Tucker posted a .250/.333/.465 batting line with 24 home runs over 569 plate appearances. On the promising side, he boosted his walk rate to a career-best 11.4% and struck out just 17.9% of the time. But his overall output was not much better than the mean in the hitter-friendly PCL. Tucker’s .263 batting average on balls in play no doubt had an impact, though he has typically generated a low BABIP.
All told, it seems reasonable to expect that another organization will be glad to risk a 40-man spot on Tucker, who has one more option year remaining. His younger brother, Kyle Tucker, remains in the Astros system and is considered one of the team’s top prospects.
Wait, isn’t he their top prospect or is that a different Tucker?
You’re thinking of Kyle Tucker.
Kyle
You’re thinking of Kyle Tucker. They are brothers.
That’s his brother Kyle Tucker
Can’t be sure, but I think you’re thinking of Kyle. Will have to confer with others.
I think you’re right they must be brother’s but let’s see what others think to make sure
Dear friend, you are referring to Mr. Kyle Tucker. Kyle Tucker is the younger sibling to Preston.
Just read the article where it stated they are brothers.
Hey yeah thats actually Billy Tucker
If you didn’t hear that’s his brother. Here to help
Just making sure you know that Preston tucker has a brother named Kyle tucker.
It’s actually the brother of the famed Friday actor Chris Tucker.
And their mom is Mother Tucker.
Hey they all have the same last names
They’re cousin Darcy Tucker was a pretty scrappy winger for the Leafs back in the day
That’s probably a different Tucker, but who knows. So hard to get decent information here…
Mother Tucker its Kyle
With his minor league numbers I expect him to catch on with the first team that can claim him (Tigers, right? And they do have some open spots)
Yep and then he will start hitting Homers in the 30’s at a time.
How ironic would it be if he becomes J.D Martinez 2.0
Not ironic at all. It would be coincidental, but not ironic.
You really had to be “that guy”
I am solving the world’s problems, one grammatical mistake at a time.
Surely, it would be a linguistic mistake, or a lexical semantic mistake, but not a grammatical mistake :)
I hope that doesn’t make me “that guy”.
Now that would be irony.
Dilly, dilly.
Best comment today
Nice.
They can outright him no?
Can’t send someone outright to a minor league affiliate until all 29 other teams pass on claiming him off outright waivers.
That’s right…well I guess it speaks more to the quality of the Astros 40-man than Tucker.
Needed his spot on 40-man roster freed up for Rondon
Would like to see the braves take a gamble on him. I think it’s a risk worth taking
he’s basically a left handed matt kemp
Except for being a half decade plus younger and not having the nickname “Hammy”.
Explain the similarities between him and Matt Kemp I’m curious
Can’t play defense, not enough bat to make up for it. He was a league average hitter at AAA this year as a 27 year old
Without the matt and without the Kemp
I’ve actually been intrigued by him for a while, so I wouldn’t mind if the Indians took a chance on him as a low risk, potentially decent reward corner outfield bat (especially with the losses they’ve endured this offseason). He probably won’t miraculously turn into a star or anything, but he’s still just 27 and seems more than worthy of taking a cheap flyer on. I think he’s out of options, but it’s at least worth a shot.
I missed the part at the bottom saying he has one option left, so that’s even better
Giants better get on Preston. Might be average minor leaguer but for us he would be an option for 25 man roster. Only move we can do without giving up big money and the little prospects we have. Sign him to minor league contract Giants. Got nothing to lose.
Definitely has a Giants-friendly price tag. Worth a shot because their other OF options aren’t much better.
Rumor is Preston Tucker may try to revive the family automobile business.
98% of those here will read that and say “huh?!?”
But well played, just the same.
Thanks. Obviously you, for one, have interests outside the diamond.. You and I must comprise the 2%.
I don’t think Tucker will make it out of the American League, there are two many teams looking for OF’s, especially cheap ones. Too many rebuilding teams or teams that should be. Hopefully the Jays snag him and stop this foolishness of signing and OF from free agency or trading away prospects to get an OF.
Sounds like a good 4 th OF add for many squads
Would the Braves be interested? I think they have 2 open spots start him at triple a and see how the big clubs outfield shakes out
Mets should grab him for depth
Or Orioles
As a stros fan, sad to see him go. He hit .240, 13 HRs in only 300 ABs back in 2015, and looked like an option for our future LF/DH but then dropped off considerably in 2016, and was in AAA all year in 2017. He did hit 24 HRs in AAA this year but only hit .250. I think when he came up he showed a good eye, and walked quite a bit but then became pull happy. He has some pop so he could still be a good 4th or 5th outfielder and can DH a bit. Not much speed or arm strength in the outfield, but won’t embarrass you – good, sound fundamentals. Hope the stros can swing a minor trade or that he latches on with someone.