Fansided

One prospect each MLB team should call up right now

By Joshua Sadlock

MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 27: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the MLB preseason game at Olympic Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MARCH 27: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during the MLB preseason game at Olympic Stadium on March 27, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 26: Kyle Tucker #79 of the Houston Astros hits a grand slam in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at Minute Maid Park on March 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 26: Kyle Tucker #79 of the Houston Astros hits a grand slam in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at Minute Maid Park on March 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker

The Houston Astros are leading the AL West into the third month of the year for a second straight year. Last year, it was a foregone conclusion by the end of May that Houston would romp to the division title. This year — not so much. The surprising Seattle Mariners are hanging tough while the Los Angeles Angels are not far back.

En route to their first World Series title, the Astros pushed run after run across the plate with a dominant lineup. So far this season, it has been the starting rotation that has carried the load. Justin Verlander is putting up numbers not seen since the mound was lowered and Charlie Morton and Gerrit Cole aren’t far behind.

Houston’s lineup is still one of the best in baseball, but their role players have not stepped up like they did last year. Utility man Marwin Gonzalez drove in 90 runs last year with an OPS over .900, but has struggled this year. His OPS is down nearly 300 points. Center fielder Jake Marisnick has been one of the worst regulars in the league.

Outfield help may be a necessity to push the Astros to the finish line in a division that is much tougher than expected. Enter top prospect Kyle Tucker. The 21-year-old hit 25 home runs last year and is hitting well at Triple-A. Tucker will emerge as the missing piece to help the Astros lineup match their historically good rotation.

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