Though the Texas Rangers have been the best team in the American League West this season, the defending World Series champion Houston Astros cannot be overlooked as the second half of the 2023 season kicks off.
Houston is just three games back of the Rangers in the division and holds a one-game lead over the New York Yankees for the final Wild Card spot.
One of the key factors for the Astros this season has been All-Star slugger and outfielder Kyle Tucker.
As of now, he leads the Astros in extra-base hits, RBI, and stolen bases.
Only Shohei Ohtani and Bobby Witt Jr. lead their teams in all three categories in the American League, as was pointed out by Buster Olney of ESPN on Twitter.
From @EliasSports: Kyle Tucker leads the Astros this season in extra-base hits (34), RBIs (60), and stolen bases (15, tied with Corey Julks). The only other American League players leading their teams in extra-base hits, RBIs and steals this year are Shohei Ohtani and Bobby Witt…
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 16, 2023
Tucker is a two-time All-Star, a former Gold Glover, and was a key member of the Astros World Series runs in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
This season has been yet another solid one for the Astros slugger.
Tucker owns a batting average of .291 and has hit 13 home runs, while also reaching base at a .370 clip, slugging .473, and posting an .843 OPS.
But he’s currently in some elite company with Ohtani and Witt.
He and outfielder Corey Julks are tied for the team lead in stolen bases.
Tucker has also picked up 34 extra-base hits and driven in 60 runs this season.
Needless to say, Tucker has once again proven to be an instrumental piece in the Astros lineup.
The young outfielder and slugger owns a career WAR of 14.7 through his first six seasons.
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