Los Angeles Dodgers two-way famous person Shohei Ohtani praised new All-Star teammate Kyle Tucker forward of the 2026 season.
Tucker signed with the Dodgers through the offseason, inking a four-year, $240 million deal in Jan. He was maybe the very best free agent obtainable this offseason, and instantly solved the Dodgers’ obvious gap within the outfield.
“He’s an important batter, and he’s an important defender as properly,” Ohtani stated on Dodger Discuss with David Vassegh.
He’s actually a participant that has all the things. He can hit, he can run, he can play protection, he’s received all of it.”
How Good is Kyle Tucker?
So far as hitters in MLB go, only a few are higher than Tucker.
The slugger has been ripping up MLB pitchers since 2021, when he broke out with a 30-homer, 92-RBI season. He has made the All-Star Recreation in each season since, and has additionally hit 20 or extra homers in every of these campaigns, in addition to at the least 4.0 bWAR. He additionally has two Silver Sluggers to his title, which he received in 2023 and 2025.
Tucker struggled with harm in 2025, as he performed by means of a hairline fracture in his hand, however nonetheless managed to supply on the plate
The outfielder hit 22 house runs and logged 73 RBIs, posting an .841 OPS by means of 136 video games performed.
He earned MVP votes in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and in addition received the 2022 World Sequence with the Houston Astros.
Tucker and Ohtani will make a formidable duo in direction of the highest of the Dodgers’ lineup within the coming season, as supervisor Dave Roberts revealed the brand new arrival would bat second or third in 2026.
On prime of his hitting, although, Tucker has confirmed himself as an elite fielder throughout his MLB profession.
Whereas he hovered round league common in 2025, he had solely completed a season with a destructive fielding run worth as soon as since changing into an on a regular basis participant in 2021. He additionally received a Gold Glove in 2022, the yr he made his first All-Star look.
With an addition like Tucker to their lineup, the Dodgers have set themselves up properly to defend their World Sequence title and earn the franchise’s first three-peat.
How do you suppose Kyle Tucker will carry out in 2026?
