Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker might not be in the minors for long

The stars are slowly aligning for Astros prospect Kyle Tucker. Even with Houston as the league’s best team, it might be even more intimidating with Tucker in the mix.

It was more than an average long ball – a 448-foot shot that had two outfielders gazing at it as it easily cleared the fence. It might have grabbed the attention of Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch too, some 1,900 miles away.

Kyle Tucker gathered a plethora of attention – though not as much as Forrest Whitley – this offseason. However, after the starting pitcher’s 60-game suspension, eyes careened onto Tucker, the organization’s top position-player prospect.

Call them what you want – nerves, the yips or what have you. Whatever they are, Kyle Tucker hasn’t had them thus far in Triple-A. He has five hits, including a homer and double, in 14 at-bats so far with Fresno.

Meanwhile, Houston’s left fielders own an abysmal slash of .143/.188/.341. Just four other teams possess worse numbers from that position.

The front office tries its best to include people on the roster that will help the team succeed. Although it is very early in the season, Tucker can do just that.

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Starting centerfielder George Springer was in a similar situation a few years ago. After seeing Springer succeed for nearly half a season in Triple-A, the Astros called him up early in 2014.

Nevertheless, that was when Houston was building the foundation of its franchise. Tucker has just three games under his belt in Triple-A. But the club is in a win-now phase, as it should be. And the Angels proved they can be formidable opponents in the American League West thus far. 

Now the question revolves around whether the Astros are still invested in Derek Fisher, who has played the position most this year. Fans supported Fisher this offseason when many questioned whether he should be on the big-league roster. He boasts a career-.209 average through 61 games with a .659 OPS.

Jake Marisnick also comes into the mix, as he’s the squad’s fourth outfielder. The problem with the backup centerfielder is he cannot hit. At best, he’s a late-inning defensive substitute.

Lastly, baseball fans may argue whether Tucker is needed at this point. Once Yuli Gurriel returns, Marwin Gonzalez can occupy left field for most games. If he’s needed elsewhere, they can have Marisnick in center and Josh Reddick in left as a backup.

With the Astros as good as they are now, Hinch has the option to let Tucker grow in the minors. Even the most successful hitters typically struggled in their first stint in the majors. Allowing the phenom to get more hacks in Triple-A might or might not solve that issue.

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Either way, Tucker looks poised to make an impact for the club, whether it be in 2018 or across the next few seasons. He will occupy a roster spot for the Astros by at least September.

But imagine how even more dangerous Houston can be with a budding 21-year-old prodigy as its primary backup outfielder.