Astros outfielder Tucker bags career first Silver Slugger Award

Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker had a sensational year at the plate to where Major League Baseball (MLB) recognized him with his first career Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award.

According to a report by Houston NBC affiliate KPRC News, Tucker led the American League (AL) in runs batted in (RBI) with 112. This was his career-high. His batting average stood at .284 with 97 runs scored. KPRC also reported that he fell just one short of reaching both 30 home runs and 30 steals during the previous season, which saw the Astros fail to defend their 2022 World Series title.

A press release from MLB stated that MLB managers and coaches vote for the Silver Slugger recipients. This accolade is given to the top offensive player at each position in each league. The release confirmed that Tucker was among at least four players who received this award for the first time, according to MLB. It further noted that Tucker provided much-needed offensive firepower for Houston during the absences of second baseman Jose Altuve and designated hitter (DH) Yordan Alvarez.

Tucker, originally from Tampa Bay, Florida, now joins teammate Mauricio Dubon as an inaugural award winner on the Astros roster. As reported by Houston Daily, Dubon won his first Rawlings AL Gold Glove Award following a season where he admirably filled in for Altuve and demonstrated versatility on the field.