There were no snazzy or slick puns I could think of for Kyle Tucker (I mean, Tucker, I don’t even know her!)… see what I mean? But, I had thought about the “general idea” of Kyle Tucker and have come to the resounding conclusion that yes, he is a baseball player. Expert analysis at your finger tips, we are in the future. But let me expand! As the title kinda-sorta already spoiled, I just don’t think Kyle Tucker is a baseball player, but also carries the potential to build upon this season and provide second-rounder value. Want to know why? Follow me! I mean, it’s not literally following me, that’s kind of creepy, just, you know, press that button below. I can see how confusing it can be…
Okay, so hopefully you made it here in one try or I better start watching behind me. So before we get started, there should be a bit of nuance provided, in that when I say Kyle Tucker is a second rounder next season, that might not be entirely true. Technically, that’s up to the players, you, to get his ADP there. Most of you will need to literally draft him in and around that area to make my statement true. But, as I alluded to above, it’s about value for me, and no matter where he ends up in next season’s drafts, Tucker is poised to provide second-round value, and it may even come in an underrated package when next year rolls around.
For all intents and purposes, Tucker has had a semi-subdued opening to his career. Arriving to some fanfare, his 2019 and 2020 served to highlight some of the most unspectacular parts of his game. Struggling with a low BB%, high K% and a bit of bad luck in his first 70 or so games in the first two seasons, he’s shown a remarkable ability to grow at the plate as a player, and his stat-sheet frown has turned upside down. (Sorry.)
Still quite young, he’s managed to take what was once a 5.6% walk rate to 9.4 this season, and at the same time bringing his once 27.8% strikeout rate all the way down to 16.0% this year. And he’s done this all without any mechanical changes or anything like a large BABIP swing. In fact, looking at his profile, Tucker has changed strategic approach, going super aggressive with his swinging on all pitches inside the zone. Combined with a fantastic hard-hit rate (47.7%), he’s managed to utilize his strengths as a baseball player.
Measured out by scouts to have plus raw power and plus game power, clearly there is still a lot of room for Tucker to grow and we’re seeing it happen right before our very eyes. Remember, it was just this past April that he was hitting .204/.241/.510 for the season. Now sitting at a robust .291/.356/.551, the only thing that’s holding him back at this point is of course, the almighty injury or the potential thereof.
While this is true of many players, the injuries he’s suffered thus far are a double-edged sword. You don’t like to see anything that might turn chronic for a player, but so far, you could argue that perhaps his value will have a discount embedded due to the fact that he’s out near the end of the season.
But let’s be real (as opposed to fake!), Kyle Tucker is a known quantity at this point. He’s young, can hit, and is pretty much universally owned. And where he ends up next season on the draft chart is anyone’s guess, but I think generally we already know he’s a top-50 outfielder. I’m just here to let you know that I think he’s a top-10 outfielder. That’s my Kyle and I’m Tucking to it!
Honestly, that sounded better in my head…
Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell. You can follow him on Twitter @jaywrong.
