Kyle Tucker’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers has not gone as anyone would have hoped. The organization’s most expensive signing of the offseason, who set an MLB record for the largest average annual value in history, has not produced at a level anywhere near what his contract would command.
Despite things not going Tucker’s way, he still has the support of the clubhouse. Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández have both expressed confidence in their teammate. The general feeling is that all the four-time All-Star needs is for a light switch to click in order to turn his season around in time for the postseason.
The journey back to the top of the mountain has been difficult and disheartening for Tucker, but he is not yet ready to give up, according to Maddie Lee of the L.A. Times.
“It’s tough because, I mean, I feel like I’ve tried just about everything,” Tucker said. “And every time I feel like I’m turning a corner, I get hit with a roadblock. But, you can’t stop. You just got to keep going, try and at least pick out the positives, and just try and ride with that. Just keep on moving to the next day and hope for something to build.”
The problem for Tucker is that no one has any idea why he’s struggling. His plate discipline and contact ability, while noticeably worse, are still above average. And yet, his expected weighted on-base average and expected slugging have nosedived.
Part of the reason could be that Tucker’s effectiveness against fastballs has been greatly reduced compared to years past. Changeups and curve balls have also given him lots of trouble this season, especially compared to how he handled them last season. However, there’s no real explanation for why that is, given his track record.
And then there is the stark contrast between his home and road splits, the reason for which still eludes the nine-year veteran.
“If I knew, I’d probably have figured it out by now,” he said. “But that’s just kind of how it’s gone.”
At this point, Tucker is stepping out of his comfort zone in an effort to break out of his funk and he recently tried something new. Before last Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he took batting practice on the field at Dodger Stadium.
It marked his first time doing so this season, whether at home or on the road, but the results have not followed.
Tucker was out of the lineup on Thursday for the Dodgers series finale against the Atlanta Braves. It came against a tough left-hander in Chris Sale, but benching him against anyone is not something the Dodgers envisioned when signing him.
Dodgers don’t want Kyle Tucker worrying
Although the Dodgers have kept the left-hander out of the lineup multiple times over the last few weeks, they do not plan to bench him for any significant amount of time as it stands right now.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the best course of action at the moment is to offer Tucker support.
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