Tucker prepares to fulfill promise after rough debut
LAS VEGAS — Two and a half miles from baseball’s offseason summit, where the Astros are mulling whether Kyle Tucker is their immediate answer in left field, the 21-year-old outfielder entered the colorful Rio Casino and Hotel. Tucker toted a backpack while wearing a gray hoodie and his familiar wide smile.
The best position player prospect in Houston’s fertile farm system traversed the casino floor and stopped at “The Wall,” a gaming lounge full of neon lights, large computers and all the accoutrements that comprise a comprehensive Esports experience.
Tucker won a qualifying tournament with a partner — former A’s farmhand Brett Vertigan — putting the duo in Tuesday’s Esports Challenge Invitational, a 32man field of video gaming baseball players headlined by American League Cy Young winner Blake Snell.
It manifested into a fourday offseason excursion for Tucker and his girlfriend. Sunday, the couple wanted only to view the aquarium at Mandalay Bay. Unintentionally, they walked into the middle of winter meetings mania.
The Astros called Tucker up in July with hopes of making him a mainstay for a playoff run. He hit .141 in 72 major league plate appearances, earning two separate demotions and a spot at home during Houston’s run to the American League Championship Series.
“Last year was really cool,” Tucker said. “I tried — obviously, I wasn’t going out there not trying — but I was a little in awe of all the stuff. This year, I don’t care who I’m going to play against. I’m going to go out there and do well.”
Tucker managed three extra-base hits in the majors. He totaled 54 at Class AAA.
“I didn’t feel overpowered or the (pitcher) was just beating me every single time,” Tucker said. “I felt fine in the box. It’s nothing that seemed foreign to me, and I didn’t feel uncomfortable.”
Between him and Tony Kemp, there is hope an internal option can fill the space free agent Marwin Gonzalez is vacating in left field — though general manager Jeff Luhnow has not ruled out seeking a veteran presence to join them.
“There’s a spot open, but I’m not going to try any harder or any less,” Tucker said. “I’m just going to try to do the same thing. I know I’m a good baseball player, and I want to try to get my opportunities and do well with them.
“I’m just going into this next season trying to do a lot of damage.”