Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker is in the midst of a puzzling slump, but the Dodgers have no intention of giving up on him.
Tucker, who the Dodgers signed to the biggest deal in terms of annual average value in MLB history during the offseason, has struggled to adjust to playing in Los Angeles all season. His OPS currently sits below .700, and his 11 home runs through 118 games are far from what Dodger fans expected from him.
The outfielder looked to be turning a corner at the beginning of a month, riding a seven-game hit streak into last week’s series against the Kansas City Royals, but his struggles became far more apparent since then. He hasn’t recorded a hit since Aug. 9, and he went the entirety of the Dodgers’ series against the Brewers without reaching base.
In Monday’s 11-5 win over the Rockies, Tucker went 0-for-5 and made a regrettable error in right field. Tucker ran in to corral a routine fly ball off the bat of Connor Norby, but dropped it while holding his glove well below his waistline. Norby came around to score the Rockies’ second run of the game.
After grounding out in the top of the ninth, cameras panned to Tucker getting emotional in the dugout.
“He’s frustrated,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The play in right field, there’s indecision. Catching a baseball at your ankles kind of speaks to where his head is at right now. It’s not from a lack of effort, care.
“We’ve got to keep supporting him.”
What Has Kyle Tucker Done to Get Back on Track?
Tucker’s struggles have persisted throughout the whole season so far, and the right fielder has tried just about everything in an attempt to get back into the swing of things.
Early in the season, hitting coach Aaron Bates said Tucker had been forcing his swing too much, and Roberts noted an uncharacteristic tendency to chase pitches—things he hadn’t done before in his career.
Tucker clearly tried to make the correct adjustment, but he hasn’t yet achieved his desired result.
Roberts gave Tucker the day off against the Brewers Saturday to try to work through his issues, but his struggles remained.
“If I knew, I’d obviously change something,” Tucker said of what he could do to improve. “But just gotta keep playing.”
Tucker, at his best, is one of the most dangerous sluggers in MLB, and the right fielder will look to rediscover that side of himself throughout the remainder of the season to assist the Dodgers in their quest to win the National League’s first three-peat this October.
7 Responses
While the team is awaiting a Tucker turnaround, why not bring up the Dodgers’ best minor league outfielder and set up a competition? One game for Tucker, the next game for the outfielder. Then, keep repeating the process until one of the two players stands out. That wouldn’t be worse than what’s going on with Tucker right now. Players compete for starting roles in spring training. This would be like spring training in August.
The same process could applied to the struggling Diaz at the closer position. Have Diaz close one game and then let Tanner Scott close the next one. Keep altering those two players until a better choice emerges. Same thing as with Tucker. Given the bad current results, what would be the downside?
I don’t think so. Pitching is a little bit different! Diaz seems like he doesn’t even care. He’s not even close to finding the strike zone. I would keep Scott as your closer, or see if you can trade for the closer we had a couple years ago.
Another idea. Rotate Tucker with outfielder Alex Call, whose batting average is 25 points above Tucker’s.
The season is nearly 75% over, and we are to believe Tucker can improve. He is a liability to the team, and we may have to deal with his poor play for another 3 years. I have seen enough of him.
As a Dodger fan what chaps my hide is the lack of hustle and effort on Tuckers behalf. He’s not a team player and has effected the team chemistry. He makes too much money to feel sorry for himself.
Since Pages is hitting 3rd in the line-up now, he’s on a roll. It seems like he’s seeing the ball much better if that’s possible. I would keep hitting Freeman hitting 2nd, and see how it goes. Muncy seems comfortable batting 4th, and Mookie looks good batting 5th. The real problem is with Tucker and Teo though. Hey, I’d start playing Miggy a lot more. And of course your catcher hitting 9th, and see how everything works out!!!!