Outfielder Kyle Tucker makes his Cactus League premiere for Los Angeles Dodgers. What will King Tuck do?
It's time for Kyle Tucker to show Los Angeles Dodgers fans a thing or two at Spring Training.
Tucker makes his first Cactus League start for the Dodgers on Sunday against the San Diego Padres.
So much has been made about Tucker signing a big-time, free-agent contract with the Dodgers...and rightfully so. He played just one season with the Chicago Cubs before seeking a bigger, better deal.
Well, he found that from the Dodgers' management. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman worked closely with Tucker's management group to make it all come together.
Of course, before playing for the Cubs last season, Tucker captured a World Series ring during his time with the Houston Astros. Now, Tucker joined a franchise looking for a third straight World Series championship.
One good thing that Tucker does bring to the Dodgers is postseason experience. Whether it was in divisional or league championship series playoff games, Tucker has been under the gun in both situations.
He also has that World Series experience, too, catching the final out of the 2022 World Series as the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies.
It's high time for King Tuck to show out for the Dodgers.
Why? Should it not matter too much since it's Spring Training? Well, it does matter if you've just signed a big contract and want to get off on the right foot.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will be watching Tucker closely, hoping to see a sign or two that the Dodgers' outfield situation will be better this season.
There's no doubt that Tucker is a strong defensive outfielder. When he's healthy, too, Tucker can provide some pop from the left side of the plate.
Yet the Dodgers will have to watch and make sure Tucker stays healthy. He hasn't had many seasons where he's played a full 162-game season. If Los Angeles can get that out of Tucker, and he stays healthy, then it'll be a great first step for both player and organization.
Tucker comes into a situation where he can be more low-key, which is along the lines of his off-field communication style. He's not going to be one of the boisterous voices in the Dodgers' clubhouse, a role that some thought he should have played more while in Chicago.
But that's just not his nature.
For the Dodgers, Tucker needs to come out on Sunday and maybe get a couple of hits. Just give the Dodgers' organization and its fans something to feel good about after a long winter without baseball.
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