Kyle Tucker's Subtle Excellence on the Bases Keeps Adding Value for Cubs

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

It took a combination of good things for Kyle Tucker to race all the way around and notch that first tally for the Cubs. With one out in the bottom of the first, the first responsibility of the runner there is to make sure the ball is going to get down. Tucker made an immediate read. To give himself a good chance of getting the green light from Quintin Berry at third base, though, Tucker also had to be confident in that read and keep running, rather than freezing to watch as the line drive sailed toward the fence. He did.

Finally, with his acceleration uninterrupted and the ball safely down, the race was on. Tucker's final challenges were to cut the bag smoothly and sharply at third, and to maintain his pace all the way to the plate. He did so, and easily beat the relay toward home. Seiya Suzuki had his RBI, and the Cubs had most of what they'd need for a fourth straight win and a sweep of the Rockies.

That was the first time Tucker had actually been on first when a double was hit, all year, and he scored. He's been on second for singles 10 times, and scored six. He's not excelling at taking the extra base on balls in play, because he doesn't have high-end speed. However, he hasn't made an out on the bases all year, because when he does go, it's after making a strong read and it comes with excellent efficiency of movement.

Tucker also has 15 stolen bases, in 15 tries. He's been all over the place for the Cubs, after reaching base—and, of course, he's practically always on base, with a .388 on-base percentage. He's notched four triples, too, and one of his nine doubles required him to get out of the box quickly and think double right away. Despite being a markedly below-average runner, Tucker adds a lot of value with his legs. It's a matter of great instincts and technique, and a bit of opportunism. He's on pace for more than 40 steals. He hasn't been caught stealing since Sept. 11, 2023, which was 28 thefts ago.

As a team, the Cubs rank third in baseball with 72 steals, trailing only the Rays (76) and Brewers (74). They're 16 ahead of the Pirates, who rank fourth in the league, and they've been caught fewer times than anyone else in the top seven. Tucker is at the forefront of their plan, which is to keep pressure on opponents at all times. He takes 4.5 seconds to get from the left-handed batter's box to first base, and he's slow enough to be persistently stretched thin as a right fielder. When action is afoot, though, Tucker is making plays, and not just when it's his turn to swing the bat.

View full article