Fansided

10 MLB prospects who can help your fantasy baseball team in 2019

By Brad Berreman

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23:Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles (16) steps up to bat against the New York Mets at Nationals Park September 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Washington Nationals lost to the New York Mets 8-6 in the last home stand of the season.(Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23:Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles (16) steps up to bat against the New York Mets at Nationals Park September 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Washington Nationals lost to the New York Mets 8-6 in the last home stand of the season.(Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images /

9. Kyle Tucker, OF, Houston Astros

Tucker was the second-youngest player and third-best hitter (155 wRC+) in the Pacific Coast League last year, and it’s fair to say he has nothing to prove in Triple-A (.332/.400/.590 slash-line, 24 home runs, 93 RBI, 20 stolen bases). But in three short stints in the big leagues last year, over 28 games total, he never got it going (.141/.236/.203 slash-line, 13 strikeouts in 64 at-bats).

At first glance the Astros look set in the outfield, with Michael Brantley stepping into left field, George Springer not going anywhere in center and Josh Reddick reliably in right. But 2018 was Brantley’s first fully healthy season in what seemed like forever (2015, actually), and Reddick did not do enough to make him insurmountable (.231 against right-handers last year; .242, 17 home runs and 47 RBI in total).

Tucker may start the season in Triple-A, if only because the Astros aren’t quite ready to shift away from Reddick since service time manipulation should be a secondary concern. He could also be in the mix for some DH at-bats once he comes back to the big leagues, but a corner outfield spot seems like it’s Tucker’s as soon as the situation proves to be right. A 20-10 campaign feels possible, with other numbers propped up by being in a good Houston lineup.

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