Tucker

[JimR]

Hitting .115 when the game started last night and had an Ofer. Alvarez .346 and 5 homers.

[toddthebod]

Derek Fisher also has 5 HRs.

[VirtualBob]

Alvarez has 6.

[JimR]

Alvarez has 6.

Hit one last night? Stat sheet had him with 5 Friday.

[moriartp]

Hit one last night? Stat sheet had him with 5 Friday.

Yep, saw some tweets saying it was 485’.

[JimR]

The bloom is coming off the Tucker rose according to some.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The bloom is coming off the Tucker rose according to some.

A paper tiger? I hate hearing that, Considering the brilliance and advanced methods of the "brain trust" in developing players, it is more than just disappointing. I hope he snaps back. He must. We've got too much invested in him for him to wash out.

[TerryPuhl21]

The bloom is coming off the Tucker rose according to some.

And they may have waited too late to move him for an impact piece. Tough to know when to pull the trigger sometimes. Hopefully Tucker gets it figured out.


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[Jacksonian]

The bloom is coming off the Tucker rose according to some.

Sometimes I find this kind of thing perplexing.  Had he gone to college this year would have been his first full season of pro ball.  Last year's high college draftees are in high-A or at best AA right now.

[JimR]

Sometimes I find this kind of thing perplexing.  Had he gone to college this year would have been his first full season of pro ball.  Last year's high college draftees are in high-A or at best AA right now.

More than mere performance issues.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

It's a little ironic, after washing out at the MLB level, Kyle's brother is hitting at a .346 clip for the Charlotte Knights in the IL. I know, it's still early.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Didn't he mash again in Fresno last year after going back down?

Hope he pulls it together, physically and between the ears.

[Jacksonian]

More than mere performance issues.

I hope maturity does not continue to elude him much longer.

[Snuffy]

Late news - last week:
https://www.dailycomet.com/news/20190408/round-rock-uses-homers-to-beat-baby-cakes
Although it might not be an achievement to be a team named the Baby Cakes, Kyle contributed a 2-run HR on 8 April.

It's easy to forget that he's just 22, w/ 40 ABs.

[Mike S.]

I hope maturity does not continue to elude him much longer.

Are there concerns or questions about his maturity?  I hadn't heard that.

[JimR]

Late news - last week:
https://www.dailycomet.com/news/20190408/round-rock-uses-homers-to-beat-baby-cakes
Although it might not be an achievement to be a team named the Baby Cakes, Kyle contributed a 2-run HR on 8 April.

It's easy to forget that he's just 22, w/ 40 ABs.

No one is forgetting those things.

[Snuffy]

No one is forgetting those things.

I sometimes do.  It seems like he has been a can't miss prospect forever....

[doyce7]

Tweet from Astros future today

Kyle Tucker since April 24th (19 games):

.333 BA/.425 OBP/.797 SLG, 3 2B, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB, 186 wRC+

#Astros

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[JimR]

Tweet from Astros future today

Kyle Tucker since April 24th (19 games):

.333 BA/.425 OBP/.797 SLG, 3 2B, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 6 SB, 186 wRC+

#Astros

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Hope he is back to “most wanted” status.

[BlownRanger]

It's also worth noting that Tucker is eight for eight on stolen base attempts this season.

[das]

Hope he is back to “most wanted” status.

As a trade piece or as a fix to the upcoming Springer/Brantly/Reddick/Marisnick FA wave?

[JimR]

As a trade piece or as a fix to the upcoming Springer/Brantly/Reddick/Marisnick FA wave?

Trade piece. They’ll extend Springer, attempt to re-sign Brantley, let Reddick walk, and dunno re Marisnick.

[geezerdonk]

Plus Straw and Alvarez give Luhnow a lot of flexibility. And Fisher even.

[juliogotay]

Plus Straw and Alvarez give Luhnow a lot of flexibility. And Fisher even.

I figure Astros won't try to re-up Jake because of Straw. 

[JimR]

I figure Astros won't try to re-up Jake because of Straw.

Not sure there. Jake is invaluable on defense, and his offense is better too.

I keep thinking Luhnow has to do something with the very good but blocked players in the system.

[HudsonHawk]

Plus Straw and Alvarez give Luhnow a lot of flexibility. And Fisher even.

If they can get anything at all for Fisher, they ought to do it, pronto.

[BlownRanger]

I suspect Luhnow still envisions Tucker in the Astros' corner outfield for years to come.  And I'm okay with that.

[JimR]

I suspect Luhnow still envisions Tucker in the Astros' corner outfield for years to come.  And I'm okay with that.

Not sure I agree.

[WVastro]

I suspect Luhnow still envisions Tucker in the Astros' corner outfield for years to come.  And I'm okay with that.

If Luhnow has given up on Tucker fine. We’ll see if he has a good poker face then. Personally I’m torn. But if JimR has a source that implies the work ethic/attitude is an issue then bring on the Texas holdem’!

[jbm]

Right now, I doubt Luhnow could use Tucker as much of a chip.  The perceptions of him may be solidifying.

[WVastro]

Right now, I doubt Luhnow could use Tucker as much of a chip.  The perceptions of him may be solidifying.

And that’s why I think he’ll be given every chance. If Luhnow is willing to trade him, all these GM’s trying to emulate JL will be apprehensive.

[JimR]

If Luhnow has given up on Tucker fine. We’ll see if he has a good poker face then. Personally I’m torn. But if JimR has a source that implies the work ethic/attitude is an issue then bring on the Texas holdem’!

I did not say that.

[JimR]

And that’s why I think he’ll be given every chance. If Luhnow is willing to trade him, all these GM’s trying to emulate JL will be apprehensive.

No. Depends on their own evaluations of Tucker.

[VirtualBob]

If they can get anything at all for Fisher, they ought to do it, pronto.

This. And for Tucker, maybe a bit more.

[doyce7]

I know many here have written off Tucker because as a 21 year old he struggled to hit big league pitching. I still have faith that Tucker will be a good major leaguer

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[austro]

I know many here have written off Tucker because as a 21 year old he struggled to hit big league pitching. I still have faith that Tucker will be a good major leaguer

I haven't written him off because of that. But I am concerned about his unorthodox swing. It just seems too long to be able to cope well with really good pitchers. But my opinion doesn't mean squat in this matter, so we shall see what Luhnow thinks.

[JimR]

I know many here have written off Tucker because as a 21 year old he struggled to hit big league pitching. I still have faith that Tucker will be a good major leaguer

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No one has written him off, but Alvarez has roared past him and is a better hitter. I want Tucker to do well so he will be a wanted trade chip. He has been hitting well lately.

[doyce7]

No one has written him off, but Alvarez has roared past him and is a better hitter. I want Tucker to do well so he will be a wanted trade chip. He has been hitting well lately.

I've seen many people, including yourself, saying to trade him. Is that not writing him off?

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[moriartp]

Not necessarily. The Astros have three good outfielders through 2020. They could use another starting pitcher. You can think Tucker has great value but think the team is best served by converting that to value at another position.

[JimR]

I've seen many people, including yourself, saying to trade him. Is that not writing him off?

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Nope. He will bring what the roster needs, I hope. Alvarez passed him up. I hope he hits .340.

Tucker not playing tonight. Alvarez 2-3 with 1 RBI.

ETA: I said at the end of ST I liked Alvarez better than Tucker. I have been right...so far.

[JimR]

Not necessarily. The Astros have three good outfielders through 2020. They could use another starting pitcher. You can think Tucker has great value but think the team is best served by converting that to value at another position.

You said it better than I did. I agree.

[austro]

For the sake of argument, imagine that the Giants insisted on Alvarez in exchange for Bumgarner. Would you do that trade?

[doyce7]

For the sake of argument, imagine that the Giants insisted on Alvarez in exchange for Bumgarner. Would you do that trade?

I would not. Nor would I trade Tucker for Bumgarner

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[JimR]

For the sake of argument, imagine that the Giants insisted on Alvarez in exchange for Bumgarner. Would you do that trade?

Hell no. He is untouchable.

[JimR]

I would not. Nor would I trade Tucker for Bumgarner

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For whom would you trade Tucker?

[doyce7]

For whom would you trade Tucker?

For more than half a season of a pretty good but no longer great pitcher

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[JimR]

For more than half a season of a pretty good but no longer great pitcher

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That did not answer the question.

[chuck]

If anyone demanded Alvarez I think I would be too busy laughing to tell them to go fuck themselves.

[doyce7]

That did not answer the question.

I'd think about for Stroman. There aren't that many really good pitchers on bad teams with moveable contracts or enough club control for me to fully justify it.

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[JimR]

I'd think about for Stroman. There aren't that many really good pitchers on bad teams with moveable contracts or enough club control for me to fully justify it.

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Not an answer either. You would not have traded for Verlander, probably. Three great prospects for only one player?

I would trade Tucker to get a frontline starter. We need someone who is at least a 2 on his staff. If we do not trade Tucker, that is fine, but where is he going to play and when if there is no injury to one of the four OFers? That pits him against Kemp. He has become tradable, I think, but Luhnow has to act like he is not.

[doyce7]

Not an answer either. You would not have traded for Verlander, probably. Three great prospects for only one player?

I would trade Tucker to get a frontline starter. We need someone who is at least a 2 on his staff. If we do not trade Tucker, that is fine, but where is he going to play and when if there is no injury to one of the four OFers? That pits him against Kemp. He has become tradable, I think, but Luhnow has to act like he is not.

I was screaming from the hilltops on August 1st 2017 that the Astros made a mistake by NOT trading for Verlander. I was ecstatic when they pulled the deal off a month later. And the Astros did not trade "three great prospects" for JV, not of those 3 are even close to highly touted as Tucker. For that matter, Bumgarner is not JV. I love Bumgarner, have for a long time, but he hasn't been a number 2, in 3 years. I'm not trading a top prospect for a, currently, number 3 starter.

Stroman is a number 2, I'll trade Tucker for that. Robbie Ray is a guy I really like and would probably trade Tucker for. Zack Greinke, if he was healthy would be a great addition if the contract could be added. Not Bumgarner.

If you can get Bumgarner without giving up Whitley, Tucker or Alvarez then pull the trigger. If you can't, it isn't worth the risk.

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[WVastro]

I did not say that.

My bad!

There was some thread somewhere in which I implied that from something you might have said or I misinterpreted where I got that vibe.

Alvarez is obviously the hot ticket right now but a year ago (or was it more?) Tucker was “cant miss” for all of us. I hope someone pans out. Can’t have too much outfield depth.

Or... is Luhnow’s plan to make Alvarez the spot OF but mainly DH/1B and Tucker the corner OF for the future. Maybe we might all be too hung up on Kemp let alone White.

[Lefty]

Tucker's first 12 games:  4-42, .095 /.174 /.190 /.364

Since then:  .303 /.380 /.719 /1.099   

[HudsonHawk]

Bumgarner also has more home runs than Tyler White.  So there's that to consider...

[doyce7]

Bumgarner also has more home runs than Tyler White.  So there's that to consider...

I have as many homers as White

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[JimR]

Tucker's first 12 games:  4-42, .095 /.174 /.190 /.364

Since then:  .303 /.380 /.719 /1.099

We know this. He has begun to hit. The Astros cannot keep them all and should not want to keep blocked prospects until they are no longer wanted by other org.

Brantley, Springer, Reddick, Marisnick. Who does Tucker replace? He is an OF and only an OF. Does he replace Kemp? Kemp showed his versatility and value last night when Diaz went down. If there is no room for him, how long do you keep him in AAA?

[JimR]

My bad!

There was some thread somewhere in which I implied that from something you might have said or I misinterpreted where I got that vibe.

Alvarez is obviously the hot ticket right now but a year ago (or was it more?) Tucker was “cant miss” for all of us. I hope someone pans out. Can’t have too much outfield depth.

Or... is Luhnow’s plan to make Alvarez the spot OF but mainly DH/1B and Tucker the corner OF for the future. Maybe we might all be too hung up on Kemp let alone White.

You inferred incorrectly, and I did not imply bad attitude or poor work ethic.

[MusicMan]

I have as many homers as White

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And you have only one fewer homer than the Marlins have as a team this month.


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[Lefty]

We know this

Who is "we" white man?

I hope he keeps killing it and is the centerpiece for a playoff starter.

[VirtualBob]

Who is "we" white man?

I hope he keeps killing it and is the centerpiece for a playoff starter.

"We" may know this already, but I was looking at the stats today and noticed that Tucker & Alvarez have the same number of May HR.  Whooda thunk?

[hostros7]

And you have only one fewer homer than the Marlins have as a team this month.


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Speaking of the Marlins, what about a move for Caleb Smith? I haven’t seen him pitch, but the numbers look good.


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[JimR]

Who is "we" white man?

I hope he keeps killing it and is the centerpiece for a playoff starter.

“We” are TZ readers.