Atlanta Braves: Preston Tucker Cementing Spot on the Team
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have gotten off to a fast start the first week of the season and have had no bigger contributor than Preston Tucker. Tucker has had a surprisingly fast start that has cemented his spot with the team.
Tucker has been playing left field for the Atlanta Braves and while his defense isn’t going to win any gold gloves he is more than making up for it with his contributions at the plate.
Tucker has already knocked in 8 runs with multiple clutch hits including back to back nights with three runs bombs that helped the Braves cement a series win against the division rival Washington Nationals.
While it is still very early as the Braves just are starting their first road trip this weekend it isn’t hard to see that the early surge has locked Tucker into a spot with the Braves.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is on his way to the Majors sooner rather than later and will be blocked by no one. But Tucker has provided the Braves the ability to ensure that Acuna is ready and at the same time cemented himself as the preferred 4th outfielder once Acuna arrives.
Tucker started his heroics on opening day and hasn’t slowed down yet knocking runs in at a pace that is only bested by Freddie Freeman on the team.
The fact that Tucker isn’t a fantastic defender is the only knock on him early, one that could influence who the Braves keep on the roster when Acuna is ready and service time has been manipulated.
Preston Tucker will not keep up the pace he is on but there is no reason to think he isn’t capable of continuing to be a productive part of the Braves offense. With a solid swing and a great ability to hit Preston Tucker has been the early surprise for the Braves.