| Preston Tucker | |
|---|---|
 Tucker with the Houston Astros | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1990-07-06)July 6, 1990 (age 35) Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: May 7, 2015, for the Houston Astros | |
| KBO: May 17, 2019, for the Kia Tigers | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 30, 2018, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| KBO: October 24, 2021, for the Kia Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .222 |
| Home runs | 23 |
| Runs batted in | 68 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Batting average | .294 |
| Home runs | 46 |
| Runs batted in | 195 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Preston Michael Tucker (born July 6, 1990) is anAmerican former professionalbaseballoutfielder. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theHouston Astros,Cincinnati Reds, andAtlanta Braves, and in theKBO League for theKia Tigers. He stands 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) tall, and weighs 210 pounds (95 kg).
Tucker attendedHenry B. Plant High School inTampa, Florida.[1] He enrolled at theUniversity of Florida and playedcollege baseball for theFlorida Gators baseball team from 2009 to 2012. As a freshman, he was theNational Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman Hitter of the Year and theSoutheastern Conference Co-Freshman of the Year.[2][3] In 2010, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theOrleans Firebirds of theCape Cod Baseball League.[4] He set school records for most hits with 341,runs batted in (RBIs) with 258 and at-bats with 1,035.[5][6] He finished second in school history with 57home runs and batted .329. Tucker was drafted by theColorado Rockies in the 16th round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and returned to Florida.[7][8]
TheHouston Astros selected Tucker in the seventh round of the2012 Major League Baseball draft.[9][10] Tucker started his professional career with theTri-City ValleyCats of theClass A-Short SeasonNew York–Penn League, hitting .321/.390/.509 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs in 42 games. He started the 2013 season with theLancaster JetHawks of theClass A-AdvancedCalifornia League, and was promoted to theCorpus Christi Hooks of theClass AATexas League after hitting .326/.384/.544 with 15 home runs in 75 games. In 60 games with Corpus Christi he hit .262/.347/.456 with 10 home runs.
Tucker began the2015 season with theFresno Grizzlies of theClass AAAPacific Coast League (PCL). WithGeorge Springer suffering a concussion on May 6, the Astros promoted Tucker to the major leagues the next day.[11] On May 7, 2015, Tucker got his first major leaguehit; a double into right field that tied the score at two and became part of a wild comeback in the 9th inning against theLos Angeles Angels atAngel Stadium against the closerHuston Street. In the game, he went 1-for-3 with one RBI and a walk. On May 21, 2015, Tucker hit his first major league home run in a game against theDetroit Tigers. The solo shot came in the top of the ninth inning off Tigers' closerJoakim Soria, tying the game at 5–5 and handing Soria his firstblown save of the season.[12]
On March 28, 2017, the Astros optioned Tucker back to Fresno.[13] He spent the entire 2017 season in Triple-A without making a single appearance in the majors, although he was still on the Astros 40-man roster that year.[14]
On December 15, 2017, the Astrosdesignated Tucker for assignment.[14]
The Astros traded him to theAtlanta Braves on December 20, 2017, for cash considerations or aplayer to be named later.[15]
On July 30, 2018, the Braves traded Tucker,Lucas Sims, andMatt Wisler to theCincinnati Reds in exchange forAdam Duvall.[16]
On September 2, 2018, the Reds traded Tucker back to Atlanta in exchange for cash considerations.[17] The Braves outrighted him to the minors on October 31,[18] and he elected free agency on November 2.[19]
On February 23, 2019, Tucker signed a minor league deal with theChicago White Sox that included an invitation tospring training.[20] On May 10, 2019, Tucker requested his release so he could sign with theKia Tigers of theKBO League.
On May 17, 2019, Tucker signed a one-year, $270,000 contract with theKia Tigers of theKBO League.[21] Tucker played in 95 games for Kia in 2019, slashing .311/.381/.479 with 9 home runs and 50 RBI. He re-signed with the club for the 2020 season on a one-year, $850,000 deal.[22] In 2020, Tucker swatted 32 home runs with 113 RBI and a slash line of .306/.398/.557 in 142 games for the Tigers. On December 8, 2020, Tucker re-signed with the Tigers again, on a one-year, $1.05 million deal.[23] Tucker endured a down season in 2021, hitting just .237/.334/.350 with 9 home runs and 59 RBI in 127 games for Kia. Following the season, on November 30, 2021, the Tigers parted ways with Tucker.[24]
On March 31, 2022, Tucker signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves organization.[25] In 75 games for the Triple–AGwinnett Stripers, he batted .267/.347/.426 with 9 home runs and 47 RBI. Tucker elected free agency following the season on November 10.[26]
On December 9, 2022, Tucker signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training with theSan Diego Padres.[27] In 44 games for the Triple–AEl Paso Chihuahuas, he hit .342/.468/.658 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI. On June 18, 2023, the Padres selected Tucker's contract to the40-man roster; San Diego subsequently placed him on the 10–day injured list withplantar fasciitis in his right foot.[28] On August 1, Tucker wasdesignated for assignment following the team's acquisition ofGarrett Cooper andSean Reynolds.[29] Two days later, he was released by the Padres organization.[30]
Tucker's younger brother,Kyle, played baseball at Plant High,[31] and was selected by the Astros with the fifth overall selection of the2015 MLB draft. Preston Tucker was married to Haley Walters in January 2022.