Fansided

Top 5 MLB prospects who could impact playoff races

By Joshua Sadlock

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Gavin Lux #10 of the National League Futures Team throws during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 7, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Gavin Lux #10 of the National League Futures Team throws during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 7, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 11: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros in action during a game against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 11: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros in action during a game against the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. Kyle Tucker

It is truly unfair that the Houston Astros were able to acquire Zack Greinke, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole without having to trade away their top prospect, outfielder Kyle Tucker. Despite all of their aggressive deal making, the Astros have found a way to keep the talented 22-year-old who was their top pick in the 2015 draft. Houston is playing chess while the rest of the league plays checkers.

The Astros are running away with the AL West yet again, have the best rotation in baseball, arguably the best lineup, a deep farm system and have won every game since the trade deadline. They have already called up Yordan Alvarez, who is hitting .340/.422/.693 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI in 41 games. Tucker could be next up.

Tucker has hit .283/.355/.506 in 502 games in the Minor Leagues with 120 doubles, 20 triples, 89 home runs, 365 RBI and 115 stolen bases. He has three straight 20-20 seasons and is on his way to a 30-30 season this year, having already knocked 28 home runs and swiped 24 bags. Tucker’s numbers are down a bit from last season, where he hit .332/.400/.590 in 100 games at Triple-A.

The 22-year-old outfielder had a rough MLB debut last season, hitting .141/.236/.203 in 28 games without a home run. Despite his struggles in the big leagues last year, he is still an elite prospect and the Astros obviously haven’t soured on him if they were unwilling to include him in trade talks.

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