Kyle Tucker’s Swing Struggles Continue
On Saturday, Kyle Tucker mentioned he wasn’t really searching for anything specific with his swing. However, it seems, at least a bit, he’s feeling some improvement—something that’s been a concern throughout the season.
Before Saturday’s game, he participated in a notable outdoor batting practice, a move described as “very suggestive” by manager Dave Roberts, especially given Tucker’s hefty $240 million contract from the offseason. He had a session with the velocity machine earlier in the day, followed by his first pregame batting practice of the season.
Typically, Tucker does most of his swing work hidden away in the clubhouse batting cage. It’s unusual for a four-time All-Star to experience struggles like this.
“He’s working hard to get through it,” Roberts remarked.
In a surprisingly positive turn, Tucker had a decent outing in Sunday’s game against the Phillies, marking a brief yet significant improvement. He notched two hits and an RBI in four at-bats, contributing to the team’s success. One of his hits, a powerful 160 mph line drive, unfortunately, was caught by center fielder Justin Crawford. Later, he managed a 92 mph one-hopper and eventually smashed a solid double into the right wall.
Roberts reflected positively on Tucker’s day, suggesting that perhaps it indicates a deeper understanding of himself as a player.
However, the challenge for Tucker remains evident. Despite some good moments, he hasn’t consistently translated those into ongoing success during his Dodgers debut. Currently, he’s hitting .242, the lowest average of his career, with just four home runs and a .729 OPS. He seems to be struggling to find power with his swing mechanics.
Roberts pointed out alarming trends, like Tucker’s elevated pursuit and whiff rates from previous seasons.
“I think this shows a lack of selection,” Roberts noted, emphasizing that Tucker usually manages to handle deep counts but has been a lot more aggressive lately.
A few weeks back, it looked like he could be turning things around. After a rocky start with a .233 average and a sub-.700 OPS in April, Tucker adjusted his batting order placement and made some changes to his approach, hitting .268 with an .849 OPS over the next 28 games.
Even so, Roberts admitted, Tucker still “didn’t look right.” Recently, he had hit a rough patch, going 1-for-16 before his two-hit game, showing frustration on multiple occasions leading up to Saturday’s practice.
“I think that shows his toughness and his struggle to perform,” remarked Roberts. “But it still wasn’t quite right until we were on the verge of being locked up.”
Despite Tucker’s inconsistent performance, the Dodgers have found success, winning 14 out of their last 17 games and maintaining a comfortable lead in the National League West.
Nevertheless, there’s a reason the team is investing heavily in the 29-year-old this season. Even with Sunday’s positive moments, the quest for consistent performance continues for Tucker.
