Houston Astros: Are Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw the future?
The Houston Astros possess loads of talented outfield prospects in the minors. Some are blossoming sooner than others. And with the team’s complicated outfield situation in the MLB, could that provide Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw an opportunity to secure roles in the near future?
The Houston Astros don’t have many weakness throughout their roster. However, Houston’s outfield crew isn’t one of the most prestigious ones in the league.
But the farm system could be the answer in upcoming seasons. Of the several highly-touted prospects the Astros have in the minors, Myles Straw and Kyle Tucker are centerpieces.
The primary issue for Houston resides in left field, as Marwin Gonzalez will be a free agent this offseason. Thus far, he has the most starts in the position, though he plays elsewhere frequently. Five other players have starts in left field as well, but none seem like a surefire, future everyday starter.
Gonzalez is a key component in the roster, and he enjoyed a breakout season in 2017. Yet, his follow-up campaign has been a disappointment – he has a .253/.329/.393 slash. It is unsure whether the Astros plan to re-sign him this offseason.
While the club’s center fielders technically are underperforming compared to the rest of the league, that’s because George Springer has played right field in 42 games. Nevertheless, Springer and Jake Marisnick are under contract until 2021.
Josh Reddick also hasn’t been at his best this season, putting his career with the Astros in jeopardy. While the outfielder is under contract until 2021, he could be involved in a trade over the next few years.
Overall, Houston’s brightest up-and-comers in the minors might complicate the situation.
What do Straw and Tucker offer?
Tucker, the organization’s top position prospect, ranks in the top 15 in average in the Pacific Coast League. He also ranks in the top 20 in OPS.
But the outfielder has received much more interest from fans due to his recent stretch. He is currently on an 11-game hitting streak. During that span, he’s garnered a .510 average with five doubles, two bombs and 10 RBIs.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch said he will not rush Tucker into the bigs. Hence, there hasn’t been much buzz surrounding a promotion since March. Houston is 50-27 and sits atop the American League West, therefore they are contending without him.
However, Tucker seems poised to make an impact – a big one – in the coming years. There is also a possibility that he gets the call at some point before September.
Straw provides a different set of tools on the field. Though the doesn’t wield a heavy hammer at the plate like Tucker, the 23-year-old provides speed – lots of it.
Prior to his promotion, Straw swiped 35 bases in Double-A, the most in the Texas League. And unlike many of the speedsters in the MLB right now, Straw has a keen eye. He walked 35 times in 65 games, giving him a higher on-base percentage than all but four players in the league.
Straw already has six stolen bases in just six Triple-A games. He has basically taken Tony Kemp’s role in Fresno, though he offers more speed.
Houston has Straw labeled as a top-20 prospect, but it will be difficult for him to acquire a starting position in the outfield in the near future. Few players in the bigs find success as primarily base-stealers.
Nevertheless, Straw could change that stigma by next year.
How will the free agent market affect this plan?
There are a scant amount of dependable outfielders hitting free agency this offseason. And just three of them – Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig and Bryce Harper – are under the age of 30.
Harper is essentially off the list already, considering that he plans to obtain a long-term, high-dollar deal. Houston has enough budding stars on its roster, and the organization refrained from signing extended deals during its meteoric rise.
More from Houston Astros
- Julio Rodriguez doing it all for Mariners, including playing peacemaker against Astros
- MLB Trade Deadline: AL West roundup with Rangers, Angels, Astros wishlist, A’s and Mariners for sale
- Grading Dana Brown and the Houston Astros front office at the season’s midway point
- Houston Astros: Houston, we have a Martin Maldonado problem
- Stock Up, Stock Down: Red Sox, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Astros
Puig continues to have tons of untapped potential, but it seems that he may never become a five-tool player. Although he could be an option, it is unlikely that the Astros allocate money to sign him.
A.J. Pollock and Michael Brantley are other outfielders expected to become free agents. However, both players are injury prone and might look for an exaggerated deal.
Surely, other teams will express interest in all of these outfielders. But Houston seems preoccupied with reinforcing its pitching staff, as two of the starting pitchers are free agents this winter.
That doesn’t mean the Houston Astros won’t shop for an outfielder. However, Tucker, Straw and the several other outfielders in the organization – Kemp, Derek Fisher, Marisnick and Reddick – provide the team with plenty of depth.
Whether that corps will establish itself as one of the most-talented groups in the league is unknown. But what is almost a sure thing is that Hinch will provide each of the players an opportunity to make a case for themselves.
Next: Have fans seen the best of the Astros' rotation already?
And thus far, it seems that Tucker and Straw are off to good starts and gaining some ground.