Fansided

One September call-up to watch for each MLB team

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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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 21: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros runs during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on July 21, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Astros defeated the Angels 7-0. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 21: Kyle Tucker #3 of the Houston Astros runs during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on July 21, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Astros defeated the Angels 7-0. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker

When a World Series contender is able to call up a 30-30 outfielder from the Minor Leagues for the pennant race and add him to a lineup that ranks among the very best in the league, it’s an embarrassment of riches. That’s exactly what the Houston Astros were able to do by calling up top prospect Kyle Tucker to join Rookie of the Year contender Yordan Alvarez on their bench.

Tucker has been around the fringes of MLB’s top 10 prospects his entire professional career and the Astros have somehow been able to keep him while pulling off trades for Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke. It’s almost unfair to the rest of the league how good the Astros front office is.

The 22-year-old outfielder made his MLB debut last July but struggled in 28 games. He has done nothing but hit in the Minor Leagues and is a true five-tool prospect. Tucker has hit .283/.356/.507 in 525 games since being drafted fifth overall in 2015. He has 123 doubles, 20 triples, 95 home runs and 121 stolen bases in his career.

In Tucker, the Astros are adding a polished hitter who hits with power to all fields and knows how to manage the strike zone and work a walk. He may not profile as a 30-steal threat in the big leagues, but the instincts are there to take a bag even without elite speed. Tucker’s power stroke has developed well the past two seasons, and he still has the potential to grow into another homegrown All-Star for the Astros.

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