His time?

Astros call up prize prospect Tucker, send Marisnick down

Astros call up prize prospect Tucker, send Marisnick down
Kyle Tucker will finally be in an Astros uniform. Rich Schultz

The Astros' quest to win a second consecutive World Series might have gotten a significant boost on Saturday.

The team called up prize outfield prospect Kyle Tucker, and sent Jake Marisnick down to Triple-A for the second time this season.

Marisnick had become a polarizing figure for the Astros. He had seven home runs and 19 RBIs in 153 at bats, but hit just .190 and struck out an alarming 69 times. His defense is spectacular, but offensively he has been a serious liability. 

The big story is Tucker, the Astros' most elite prospect since Alex Bregman. After a slow start at Triple A Fresno, Tucker has managed a .306 average, 14 HRs and 66 RBIs in 80 games. He is considered one of the top 20 prospects in all of baseball by most services.

Tucker will play Saturday against the Chicago White Sox.

Tucker was the fifth overall pick in the 2015 draft out of high school, and has been a high-end prospect ever since. The Astros have struggled to find a place for him on a team that has the second-most wins in all of baseball. But they finally decided to give him a chance at the big-league level.

If Tucker is ready to produce, it could be the equivalent of adding another big time bat via trade, and help boost an offense that has been very good, if a little short of last year's production. It really is a no-risk proposition. If he does not perform, they have not really lost anything. If he does? They have another key weapon for the stretch run and playoffs. And if he lives up to his potential? He could be a key cog in another World Series run.

Fans have been salivating at the idea of seeing Tucker. They will finally get their chance.

 

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Lottery didn’t help the Rockets, so is a trade coming? Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images.

The NBA Draft Lottery didn't go Houston's way — and now the stakes are higher than ever for the Rockets. In this episode, we break down how the surprising results shake up Houston's future.

With the Mavericks jumping ahead to land Cooper Flagg despite just a 1.8% chance, and the Spurs also leaping up the board, the Rockets once again find themselves behind their Texas rivals. Is the NBA rigged? Houston fans are asking — and bringing receipts.

We look at what Flagg’s arrival in Dallas means for the Rockets’ rebuild timeline, and whether Houston has the star power to keep pace. Could Giannis actually head to Texas — but not to H-Town?

With pressure mounting, a blockbuster trade may be the only way out. Would you move Fred VanVleet to the Suns for Kevin Durant? We explore every scenario as GM Rafael Stone faces what could be his most pivotal offseason yet.

Don't miss the video below as ESPN Houston's Del Olaleye and Joe George share their thoughts on what the future holds for the Rockets, and much more!

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome