Astros: 3 improvements we need to see from Kyle Tucker

2. Go opposite field

The shift exists because of guys like Kyle Tucker. They feel the need to yank every pitch, so teams just started putting all their guys on that side of the field. Done deal.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer

Kyle Tucker leads the Astros in pull percentage at nearly 60%. He likes to yank the ball, and oftentimes when a player struggles, you’ll start to see them doing just that—yanking the ball. No matter where the pitch is, they just tug it to their strong side. It’s not a recipe for success, and it’s also something that is seemingly fixable.

Because Kyle Tucker didn’t always used to be this way.

That 60% pull rate is higher than Tucker has ever had. It usually varies between 40-50%, which is about where you’d want it to be. As he matured, that percentage to center began to sprout and blossom and look like what we see out of guys like Michael Brantley and George Springer.

Tucker has the ability to spray the ball, he just isn’t right now. But once he gets back to that ability, you’ll see him start to do damage.

Finally, No. 1.