Houston Astros’ Prospect Preston Tucker Promoted to AAA
Following the Corpus Christ Hooks 7-0 win over the Frisco Roughriders Wednesday night, manager Keith Bodie notified Preston Tucker he would be promoted to AAA Oklahoma City. He was leading the Texas League in home runs for the 2014 season.
On the night of his promotion, Tucker was 1×4 and had a batting average of .276 for this season in Double-A.
Credit to Jose Rodriguez per the tweet:
Preston was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 16th round of the 2011 draft. Fortunately he decided to return to the University of Florida. After the Houston Astros selected him in the 7th round of the 2012 draft, Tucker was assigned to the short-season rookie New-York Penn League. Since his inception into professional baseball, he has hit at every level. His rookie season, as a member of the Tri-City ValleyCats, saw the organization treated to a .321 batting average, 8 homers, and 38 RBI performance in 42 games.
Continuing with a torrid pace through the Astros minor league ladder, Tucker skipped regular Class A and went straight to the California League. Known for its hitter friendly tendencies. Tucker took advantage of the ballparks for 75 games in the 2013 season. A slash line of .326/.384/.544 consisting of 18 doubles, 15 homers, and 74 RBI warranted a promotion to the Texas League.
Even the Texas League could not contain Tucker’s tremendous power. He continued to hit the ball well and drive in runs. All in all the 2013 season saw him drive in 103 runs with 32 doubles and 25 home runs.
Following an invite to big-league camp for Spring Training, Preston continued to hit the ball well to begin the 2014 season. In his 65 games Tucker hit a Texas League leading 17 homers, including a multi-homer performance during the Astros futures game on June 10th at Minute Maid Park.
Through parts of 3 seasons, Tucker has hit 50 home runs while driving in 153 runs. He also has hit to a .296 batting average in just under 1100 at-bats. His plate discipline is also solid as his minor league career OBP is at .367.