I mean sure, I was a bit critical of Kyle Tucker following Monday night's game against the Marlins, but some Cubs fans were actually calling for him to be benched? And I know, it's online fans that only make up a small percentage of the fan base, but I know some of you reading this got a text from your dad complaining about Tucker not making that catch in the ninth and wanted him to sit out at least the next game.
You see this talk often when it comes to stars and I just don't get it. Sure, you have higher expectations for your big-time players, but take a step back. We're seeing it with Mets fans and Juan Soto right now, so it's not like this is a Cubs-fans only problem. But seriously, Kyle Tucker is the best hitter the Cubs have had since Kris Bryant was winning MVP almost a decade ago.
It's so funny how some fans were freaking out over Tucker's slump and while he wasn't producing much damage at the plate it's not like he was a black hole in the lineup either.
Kyle Tucker's first 26 Games
123 PA, .314/.423/.637, 1.060 OPS, 188 wRC+
7 HR, 25 RBI, 25 R, 20 BB, 15 K, 7 SB
Kyle Tucker's next 17 Games
75 PA, .182/.280/.348, .628 OPS, 80 wRC+
3 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 9 BB, 9 K, 3 SB
Kyle Tucker's last 7 Games
32 PA, .385/.500/.731, 1.231 OPS, 230 wRC+
2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R, 6 BB, 3 K, 4 SB
So, Tucker had a tough three-week stretch and there were some fans legitimately panicking over how good the 28-year-old outfielder was actually going to be this season with the Cubs. It turns out that a guy who has been among the top-five hitters in all of baseball for the past few years didn't all of a sudden forget how to hit MLB pitching.
Following the past week of games Tucker is back up to a 157 wRC+ in 50 games so far in 2025. That 157 wRC+ currently ranks 11th best in MLB and No. 7 in the National League.
Tucker has homered in two straight games, putting him at 12 long balls so far this season. If he keeps up that pace he'll end the year with a career-high 38 home runs. That number would also represent the most home runs hit by a Cubs player in a single season since Kyle Schwarber hit 38 in 2019.
Oh and by the way, Tucker is 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts. Not only has Tucker not been thrown out trying to steal a bag, he's ranked fifth for most stolen bases in MLB.
Tucker has obviously had a huge effect with his own performance, but there's no doubt that his presence has also helped the rest of the lineup feel more comfortable in 2025.
Via The Athletic.
Ian Happ is a more effective leadoff man while hitting in front of Tucker. Suzuki is a more dangerous hitter batting after Tucker. Pete Crow-Armstrong is feeding off Tucker’s energy. Dansby Swanson, the $177 million Gold Glove shortstop, can function as more of a complementary player. Younger hitters such as Michael Busch and Miguel Amaya are taking steps forward.
“Whether or not there’s a superstar in the lineup, everyone wants to do really well,” said Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon, whose time with the New York Yankees included Aaron Judge’s first American League MVP year (2022) as well as Gerrit Cole’s runner-up finish in the 2021 AL Cy Young Award voting. “But there is a breath of fresh air when it’s like, ‘Let him do the heavy lifting.’ And we all fall into place, and everyone can be comfortable in their role.
The Cubs will enter Friday with the No. 1 scoring offense in the league. They've scored 293 runs, nine more than the second-place Dodgers.
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