Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker (28) is proving to be a significant presence as one of the top free agents in Major League Baseball.
On the 29th (Korean time), Tucker started as the second batter and right fielder in an away game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, and led the Cubs to a 12-3 victory, hitting 4 for 5 with 3 RBIs, including his 17th home run of the season.
Beginning with a single to right field in his first at-bat of the first inning, Tucker successfully stole second base, then exploded with a three-run home run in the fourth inning to extend the score to 7-2. In the sixth inning, Tucker hit a left-field double and added a single in the eighth inning. He was just one triple shy of hitting for the cycle, marking his second game of the season with 4 hits.
His performance attracted attention as he played against his 'former team' Houston. Unable to handle the 'prospective free agent' Tucker, Houston executed a trade last December, sending 3 players to the Cubs in exchange for Tucker. In his first trip back to Houston since the trade, Tucker made his former team cry with 4 hits, including a home run.
According to 'MLB.com,' when Tucker hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, applause and jeers erupted simultaneously at Daikin Park. Tucker said, "It’s a good thing because it means we’re doing well," adding, "I’ve played here a long time and the fans were really great and wonderful. It was nice to reconnect with the fans who shared those special times."
As of that day, Tucker has recorded a batting average of .291 over 82 games this season, with 90 hits in 309 at-bats, 17 home runs, 52 RBIs, 53 walks, 52 strikeouts, and 20 stolen bases, along with an on-base percentage of .396, a slugging percentage of .537, and an OPS of .933. According to FanGraphs, his Wins Above Replacement (WAR) stands at 3.9, ranking third in the National League behind Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers, 4.3) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs, 4.0).
Tucker excels not only in batting but also in defense and base running. In right field defense that day, Tucker made a catch on Cooper Hummel's deep fly to right-center field in the fourth inning, successfully tracking a well-hit ball with a 60% hit probability and making a stable catch. Cubs pitcher Colin Rea praised him, saying, "Not only is his hitting outstanding, but his outfield defense is really underrated."
Drafted in the first round, 5th overall in 2015 by Houston, left-handed hitting outfielder Tucker made his Major League debut in 2018 and emerged as a starter from 2020. He hit 30 home runs in both 2021 and 2022, and in 2023, he ranked first in the American League with 112 RBIs. He was an All-Star three times and has one Silver Slugger and one Gold Glove to his name, completing seven seasons in Houston with a career batting average of .274 over 633 games (2,241 at-bats, 615 hits), 125 home runs, 417 RBIs, an on-base percentage of .353, a slugging percentage of .516, and an OPS of .870.
He will become a free agent at the end of this season and is effectively solidifying his status as the top free agent. Initially, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays) was regarded as the top free agent but remained with his team early on. In April, he signed a 14-year contract extension worth $500 million with Toronto, naturally elevating Tucker to the forefront as the top free agent. He continues to showcase consistent performance during the free agency season, enhancing his value. Last month, 'MLB Trade Rumors' ranked Tucker number one among free agents, projecting a contract size starting at $400 million, possibly exceeding $500 million.
Such a player had once expressed a desire to come to Korea, albeit briefly. His older brother, outfielder Preston Tucker (35), played four seasons in Major League Baseball from 2015 to 2018 and signed with the KIA Tigers as a substitute player in May 2019, coming to Korea. At that time, older brother Tucker said, "I talk to my younger brother often. When I told him I was coming to Korea, he seemed interested. Since he was in Triple-A, it seemed like he had thoughts of wanting to come to Korea. I wonder if we’ll get to see each other in Korea if the opportunity arises."
At the time, younger brother Tucker was in a precarious position, alternating between Major League Baseball and Triple-A. Seeing his older brother leave for Korea in search of new opportunities, amid outstanding outfielders such as George Springer, Josh Reddick, Michael Brantley, and Yordan Alvarez, he might have briefly thought about heading to Korea. However, it was unrealistic for Tucker, a first-round prospect and only 22 years old at the time, to go to Korea. Now grown into an extraordinary hitter as expected, Tucker is eyeing a blockbuster free agent deal. It seems unlikely that fans will see Tucker in Korea now or then.
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