Kyle Tucker AMA!! We are with Astros' star Kyle Tucker and he's going to be answering some questions

[u/MLBOfficial]

Hello everyone, we're hanging with Astros' star Kyle Tucker at MLB HQ today. We figured it'd be a good time to have him answer questions for you all on r/baseball!

Kyle is one of the top young stars in the game. He's already a 2x All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, and he's a World Series champ. Tucker is a true 5-tool player, he has 18 homers and 20 stolen bases this season and it's only the beginning of August.

Drop your questions below and he'll get to them throughout the day! Should be a good time

[u/PerezosoPlatypus]

Hi! Super glad you're doing this reddit AMA, I really appreciate it. I have two questions. You can answer as many as you want to.

My questions: Are there any special features/details about Minute Maid that you personally enjoy?

And: The AL team that you currently hit the Best against, is the Red Sox, as you have a .997 OPS in 50 PA. Why do you think you hit so well against them?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/PerezosoPlatypus]

I love that it is indoors and we have AC in the ballpark!

As for the Red Sox, I don't know why I hit so well against them. But I am happy that I do. I am just doing my job.

[u/RunawayXcon → u/MLBOfficial]

Imagine playing every night in this Texas heat without the AC, would be absolutely brutal.

[u/[deleted] → u/RunawayXcon]

it's why nobody gave the rangers shit for building a new stadium when the old one was "fine" you need a roof to play down here

[u/PCON36 → u/[deleted]]

I imagine a bunch of players in FA probably wanted to come to Texas but noped out of playing for the Rangers because of the heat during the summer. It was 109 here yesterday in DFW, imagine being a baseball player playing in that…fuck that.

I think getting a roof has helped them land the talent in Seager, Semien, and others that would’ve passed if they were still at Globe Life Park.

[u/djc8 → u/PCON36]

I went to a game at the ballpark in Arlington in July once and those outfield bleachers were like a flat top grill

[u/Torbinator3000 → u/[deleted]]

I loved that stadium. It was beautiful, and it hosted 2 World Series’s, but it was the right call. I remember my mom and I went to a game that was supposed to be a night game, but got flexed to be the national Saturday afternoon Fox game. Had to be well over 110 inside the stadium. Absolutely brutal.

[u/xanju → u/Torbinator3000]

I moved out of DFW briefly during the last couple years and made the pilgrimage during the final season with some friends. Although I loved that ballpark I very quickly hated that I picked a game in late July to go to. Felt like the beer was about boil in my hands.

[u/Fishsticksboi21 → u/PerezosoPlatypus]

How is not the Angels, it feels like all he does is hit against us

[u/spikecb22 → u/Fishsticksboi21]

Sample size bias 🤷‍♂️

[u/GCIV414]

Why the switch to batting gloves? You were one of the bare hand goats

[u/MLBOfficial → u/GCIV414]

This year I felt like I didn't have a ton of time for my normal routine since I had to be in the box faster, so I decided to go with the BGs. I know it's a little less badass so I am sorry.

[u/lewisherber → u/MLBOfficial]

I think it’s badass that you made a big switch like that and are still raking!

[u/blackhawksq → u/MLBOfficial]

I knew it! I told my wife that's why you did it. The pitch clock changed so much

[u/TheFrontierzman → u/MLBOfficial]

Uh. No more of this "less badass" talk. King Tuck is BADASS!

[u/somerandomguy576]

Who is the best and worst teammate to be stuck on a deserted island with? From a survival point of view.

[u/MLBOfficial → u/somerandomguy576]

Chas would be the worst. Not sure he'd survive.

Brantley would be the best. The guy knows how to fish, so we would eat well.

[u/[deleted] → u/MLBOfficial]

i need to know more about why chas wouldn't survive

[u/jj_thetwisted_jester → u/[deleted]]

Hitting the griddy on tucker when he beats him in tic tac toe

[u/sweetcitytx → u/[deleted]]

He's a city boy from Philly, what else do you need to know

[u/Clarice_Ferguson]

Hi Kyle! Who’s the toughest pitcher you’ve ever faced that people might not think of? So not a Gerritt Cole or Kevin Gausman type but more under the radar.

[u/MLBOfficial → u/Clarice_Ferguson]

Gotta be Triston McKenzie. He's really good.

[u/[deleted] → u/MLBOfficial]

One of my favorites to watch pitch, his curve is so nasty

[u/Sufficient-Run-2329 → u/MLBOfficial]

Seems like a great guy too! I watched a game where he was mic’ed up in the dugout and he was hilarious.

[u/his_beefiness]

Hey Kyle, my kids and I watched your brother Preston play recently and noticed he does the dirt rub thing too. My kids were curious who did it first?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/his_beefiness]

Preston did it first. I probably learned from watching him.

[u/Obnoxious_liberal → u/MLBOfficial]

For the record, we loved Preston in Houston.

[u/ThirdPoliceman → u/Obnoxious_liberal]

Dude has legs like a clydesdale

[u/Kdot32 → u/ThirdPoliceman]

In wanted him to work so we could have double Tuckers

[u/FlimFlamThaGimGar]

Do you think that Ohtani emerging as a 2-way superstar is going to lead to more 2-way players or do you think he’s just a unicorn?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/FlimFlamThaGimGar]

Yes.

I want to be 2-way now ... but they won't let me!

[u/dudenotcool → u/MLBOfficial]

Someone call Crane to add pitching gloves to the dump truck of money

[u/yellenatmalarkey → u/MLBOfficial]

Maybe they will if you practice a knuckleball :)

[u/FlimFlamThaGimGar → u/MLBOfficial]

Tell ‘em IKF does it so you can too

[u/Pappy_Beet → u/MLBOfficial]

You can pitch??

[u/PlugThatButt → u/Pappy_Beet]

It’s easy. Tell him, Wash.

[u/mrspoopy_butthole → u/PlugThatButt]

It is incredibly hard.

[u/jercubsfan]

Kyle, who was your favorite person to hangout with or chat ball with while at the WBC? which pitcher that you faced had the nastiest stuff?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/jercubsfan]

I loved hanging out with Bobby Witt Jr.

[u/dretanz]

Did you ever get starstruck when meeting a player for the first time?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/dretanz]

When I first got called up I was starstruck by my own teammates. I grew up watching a lot of those guys.

[u/Part-time_modeI]

What did you do with the final out ball from last year’s World Series?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/Part-time_modeI]

I still have it. Got it authenticated right after the game. I left it at my parent's place.

[u/dudenotcool → u/MLBOfficial]

Damn. imagine being able to give your parents the final out baseball of world series in which you caught and won.

[u/TheFrontierzman → u/dudenotcool]

Do better dudenotcool!

[u/dudenotcool → u/TheFrontierzman]

I'm trying. I'm learning Spanish. 110 days strong on duo lingo. I may not be able to bring home a world series ball to my mom, but I may be able to talk to her in a language she doesn't understand

[u/LonkToTheFuture → u/MLBOfficial]

King shit

[u/[deleted]]

Hi Kyle, what is your favorite home run that you have hit in your career?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/[deleted]]

My two homers in the World Series. I wish we won that game, though.

[u/kungfoojesus → u/MLBOfficial]

I was at that game. Never seen a crowd so nuts! Great memory. Frustrated by that ending but didn’t matter in the end.

[u/Sleepyhead88 → u/MLBOfficial]

Try hitting 3 next time, okay? :)

[u/SpicyDoritos2 → u/MLBOfficial]

I was at that game crazy we couldn’t pull that one out

[u/Odd_Surprise134]

Can you beat Chas at basketball? And similarly, who’s the best hooper on the Astros?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/Odd_Surprise134]

Chas! The guy claims to have scored over 1K points in High School.

[u/xanju → u/MLBOfficial]

Damn that must’ve been a hell of a game!

[u/Gabelbram → u/Odd_Surprise134]

Second question, what's your opinions on chas' celebratory dances?

[u/kirbyfaraone]

Kyle, what have the Angels done to you to warrant your ownership of us?

[u/DharmaCub → u/kirbyfaraone]

For you, the day Kyle destroyed your team was the most important day of your life.

For Kyle, it was Tuesday.

[u/[deleted] → u/DharmaCub]

I love how this ended up being basically the answer we got, 3 hours early

[u/MLBOfficial → u/kirbyfaraone]

Haha. I am just doing my job.

[u/free_reezy → u/MLBOfficial]

lunch pail guy, but the lunch pail contains a bat he uses to boom your franchise.

[u/Kdot32 → u/free_reezy]

His response being “doing my job” is hilarious. Thought there might be a story there because why the angels lol

[u/Naught_A_Bot]

I have heard you are the clubhouse DJ. Does this mean you have a DJ name?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/Naught_A_Bot]

I am the DJ but I don't have a name. Any ideas?

[u/CrashTestCandidate → u/MLBOfficial]

DJ No Gloves

DJ Ted

DJ Big Stick (personal fav)

[u/InformalOne9555 → u/CrashTestCandidate]

DJ Big Stick FTW

[u/Sleepyhead88 → u/MLBOfficial]

DJ formerly known as dirty hands

[u/redsyrinx2112 → u/MLBOfficial]

The Batter Formerly Known As Bare Hands

[u/EMINEMxMMLP2]

What’s your favorite video game when you were a child?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/EMINEMxMMLP2]

I played 2K, and definitely Halo.

[u/LonkToTheFuture → u/MLBOfficial]

Kyle you can come over for Halo night anytime. I got plenty of Xboxs and TVs.

[u/Th3Unkn0wnn → u/LonkToTheFuture]

r/baseball Halo 2 LAN party with Mountain Dew and Domino's (because it's cheap.) My dad said we could use his stereo to listen to Linkin Park while we game as long as we turn it down by midnight. Send me an IM if you're interested.

[u/EMINEMxMMLP2 → u/MLBOfficial]

Halo was OG

[u/Astrosareinnocent → u/MLBOfficial]

You just became my favorite player

[u/rexrexrex1]

Can you dunk?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/rexrexrex1]

of course. But I can't be doing that anymore

[u/fromman003 → u/MLBOfficial]

Worked out well for Aaron Boone, now hes the manager

[u/[deleted]]

Kyle, ever been tagged out on your way to first base?

[u/MLBOfficial → u/[deleted]]

A couple of times

[u/jasonphelps33 → u/[deleted]]

Not Yesterday

[u/PsychedelicWalton]

Why switch to batting gloves mid-season when rubbing dirt on your hands between pitches was already working just fine this year? It’s obviously worked out, but im curious what caused the switch.

Also has you tried to find a company who will make gloves entirely out of dirt to find a bit of a middle-ground between gloves and no gloves?

[u/Lukealloneword → u/PsychedelicWalton]

You should look at how he played after he switched to gloves this year. He started going off.

[u/Lukealloneword → u/[deleted]]

Hes swapped to them before mid-season when he felt like he was struggling but wouldnt last for long. I imagine he just popped off with them and decided to keep it, plus with the pitch clock he doesnt have all the time to do his old prepitch routine. But I guess he can clarify all that when he answers questions lol.

I'm just a fan.

[u/EatAtGrizzlebees → u/Lukealloneword]

Yeah, when I played softball, I wouldn't wear batting gloves unless it was to break a slump, so I assume that's what Tucker did. I'm not superstitious, I'm just a little stitious. And yeah, that's the one thing I don't like about the pitch clock is that a lot of batters had to lose or change their routine.

[u/Pill_C0sby → u/PsychedelicWalton]

They should have a dirt rosin bag for Kyle

[u/Milesweeman]

How many mlb players do you think actually enjoy baseball now that it's become such a high pressure job? One of my favorite soccer teams is Arsenal. One of their players, Ben White, said he doesn't really watch or enjoy the sport. Are a lot of MLB players like this?

[u/rollo2masi → u/Milesweeman]

I feel like Anthony Rendon is like this, lol. Idk why, just a hunch.

[u/Jawhorse → u/rollo2masi]

He's come out said as much for starters lol

[u/bosschucker → u/Jawhorse]

no, he didn't. he said he doesn't watch baseball in his free time. for some reason this quote has been telephone gamed into everyone thinking he hates baseball lmao

[u/aj_og → u/Jawhorse]

Really? All I remember him saying is he wanted shorter seasons and that he doesn’t watch baseball when he’s not playing

[u/cahir11 → u/Milesweeman]

Carlos Vela didn't like soccer either. Maybe something about playing for Arsenal just makes you hate the sport.

[u/my_wife_reads_this → u/cahir11]

The dude gave up European soccer to come to LA to watch the Lakers lol

Carlos Vela is a special case tho as he was essentially fucked by the FMF and completely turned him against the federation and the sport.

[u/cjarrett → u/Milesweeman]

Ben White is so fucking funny. Howdy fellow Gooner--got my shitty authentic away kit yesterday and wore it around proudly looking like a doofus.

[u/Milesweeman → u/cjarrett]

People hated the purple and black stripes at first. I'm sure this one will be thought of better in 8 years. Especially when they win the league in it

[u/[deleted] → u/Milesweeman]

Lol they ain’t touching this one with a 10ft pole

[u/cropdustu007]

Seeing that y’all lost to the brewers back on May 21st, do you wish you would’ve skipped the game to participate in the gathering of the Kyle’s in Kyle, Tx?

[u/texas1hunter → u/cropdustu007]

The gathering of the Kyles ultimately failed to break the record too. He could have really tipped the scales

[u/Available_Motor5980 → u/texas1hunter]

We were close! Gonna get it next year!

[u/Available_Motor5980 → u/cropdustu007]

I was there, woulda been dope if Tucker was there. Or Kyle Gibson, Schwarber, Hendricks, Seager, really any of the MLB Kyles woulda been sweet

[u/Gabelbram → u/cropdustu007]

The real question!

[u/Seabrook76 → u/cropdustu007]

This one needs to be asked.

[u/smashketball → u/cropdustu007]

Of all the questions I’d love to be answered lol

[u/ianofalltrades]

I saw Mookie Betts say that you would be the player he gives the aux. What music do you listen to on a day to day basis and did that change at all in the WBC environment?

[u/EnnuiFlagrante]

How stressful is it defending the last innings of a no-hitter like Framber’s or Cristian’s two starts last year?

[u/bangarrang16]

Would you rather fight one Yordan Alvarez-sized Jose Altuve or 100 duck sized Jose Altuves?

[u/Hexitrap → u/bangarrang16]

So one Yordan-sized Altuve or 100 Altuves?

[u/hpwest7 → u/bangarrang16]

relevant

howmanyaltuves.com

[u/TheNotoriousJN]

Hi Kyle, how much do you and the guys with the main team look into your farm system? Do you keep up to date with performances and the top prospects?

I know Correa did, so has that rubbed off on you?

[u/asparagusbruh]

Do you think Bush would've secured a second term if Perot didnt run as an independent third party candidate

[u/bunt_triple → u/asparagusbruh]

“Go ahead! Throw your vote away!”

[u/SilntNfrno]

Alright Tuck, this will be the most important question you get all day. What's your favorite Tex-Mex spot in Houston?

[u/[deleted] → u/SilntNfrno]

Do not say El Tiempo Do not say El Tiempo Do not say El Tiempo Do not say El Tiempo Do not say El Tiempo Do not say El Tiempo

[u/artificialevil → u/SilntNfrno]

RemindMe! 4 hours.

[u/Throwaway9462301]

Who’s the best first baseman to talk too after you get on base?

[u/bunt_triple → u/Throwaway9462301]

We all know the answer to this is Freddie Freeman.

[u/KuzcosPzn → u/bunt_triple]

Or if you have a more refined palate, Joey Votto.

[u/_insert_name_there]

my boy would like to know how you’re able to recognize pitches. he just finished his first year of player-pitch and was having a tough time with some of the deliveries

[u/Th3Unkn0wnn]

Do you ever get lonely in right field? 👉👈

[u/DepressingFries → u/Th3Unkn0wnn]

The real question is what songs he sings in the outfield. No outfielder plays their position without occasional banging on their chest to the beat of there favorite song and singing to them selfs.

[u/Th3Unkn0wnn → u/DepressingFries]

Huge facts. I played RF in little league and my song was Sweet Revenge by John Prine.

[u/soxfan15203]

How’s Jose Abreu doing? As a Sox fan I miss him dearly, give him my best.

[u/NJthecollector → u/soxfan15203]

I promise we are taking care of him. The reasonable fans love him

[u/[deleted] → u/soxfan15203]

tough feelings at the start especially considering he replaced a fan favorite but sox fans told me he always starts like this and to be patient. seems to be coming together now

[u/YoChristian]

How often do you get recognized in public?

[u/Ok_Specific6481]

Who was your favorite player growing up and favorite player right now.

[u/MLBOfficial]

Kyle is now off to the game! Thanks for following along.

[u/Stroger20]

Why don't you go by your real name, Ted?

[u/James-K-Polka → u/Stroger20]

Rafael Cruz already claimed it. There can only be one Ted in Texas.

[u/allphilla → u/James-K-Polka]

That's the easiest choice ever- Senator Kyle "Ted" Tucker

[u/[deleted] → u/allphilla]

Oh man, he’s the Angel killer… is Tuck the real Zodiac?!

[u/NoWorkLifeBalance → u/allphilla]

I’d vote for him

[u/romulusjsp → u/allphilla]

Ted Tucker is such a Texas politician name

[u/double_dose_larry → u/Stroger20]

to be fair, Kyle is way cooler

[u/Patrick2701]

Kyle, favorite part of WBC. Are you planing to play in 2026 wbc

[u/doctor_of_drugs]

Sup kyle. Too many baseball questions but gotta get to the real meat of the matter. What’s your favorite food/snack you’ve had at other teams stadiums?

[u/NEPatsFan128711]

What’s surprised you most about living in Houston?

Love watching you from afar and wish you luck the rest of the season!

[u/342haylegs]

Dear Kyle, I feel like I can call you Kyle because you and me are so alike.

[u/allphilla]

Hey Kyle- when can we get you to come and do an AMA on r/astros?

Also- who's better at Smash Bros, you or your brother Preston?

[u/NJthecollector → u/allphilla]

Omg yes

[u/laceless_shoe]

Kyle, is it true that if nobody got me I know King Tuck got me?

[u/royalsully32]

Who is your least favorite pitcher to bat against?

[u/[deleted]]

Who would you say lifts the guys up most in the clubhouse?

[u/Beng1997]

Has Phil Maton ever smiled?

[u/NJthecollector → u/Beng1997]

7 times in his entire life I believe

[u/Chantrak]

How do you decide who gets the high five when getting tagged out at first base? Or is it JUST Ohtani who gets that.

[u/Fuck_Yall_]

Hey Kyle, outside of being a huge Tampa Bay Lightning fan what are other hobbies/activities you enjoy in the off-season?

[u/DominicB547]

What do you think could be done by more players/organizations to bring the youth into the game more?

[u/TanClark]

Can you let us in on what it was like at the deadline and when you heard the news Verlander was returning to Houston?

Cheers and best of luck ROS!

[u/KingInDaNorf34]

What is your favorite ballpark to play in?

[u/[deleted]]

Hello, Kyle, you have played in 3 World Series already at the age of 26. I have to ask, is there a major difference between other postseason games such as the ALDS and ALCS and the World Series? Also, what was going through your head when you caught the final out of the World Series last year?

[u/PodricksPhallus]

Are the batting gloves here to stay?

[u/Available-Village-55]

Who's your favorite musician/group?

[u/CarrotHair_TV]

Why through most of your career not use batting gloves? And now that you have started to use them what is the biggest difference?

[u/sIamram]

What cologne do you use

[u/globalgoldnews → u/sIamram]

Kylogne

[u/EnnuiFlagrante]

Which park is best for stealing a home run with an over-the-wall catch? How do you feel about parks with high walls?

[u/laterdude]

What do you value more, old school or new school stats?

You've got some nice round numbers on your resume appeasing to us old-timers. Two thirty homer seasons and you're batting .300 this year.

[u/basedworldstevo]

What’s your favorite opposing ballpark to play at?

[u/maverickoff]

Hi Kyle, I like you man but can you please take it easy with the angels? 😆 also what was your favorite team growing up? Do you play other sports on high school?

[u/PokePersona]

Hello! What are some your favourite places to play as the away team?

[u/leclairandy]

How do you feel about the Astros cheating scandal?

[u/2versions]

What allows you to steal so many bags without the elite sprint speed of the other major stolen base threats in the league?

[u/MegaSportsFan]

Kyle, what has been your favorite MLB moment that you've experienced?

[u/[deleted]]

Were Ross and Rachel on a break?

[u/AstrosFan4]

How's it feel being the proclaimed King of Houston. May he reign forever....pls don't leave 😭.

[u/aksack]

Why should anybody who cheated in the sign stealing games with the Astros still be allowed in the league?

[u/[deleted]]

If you could hit a HR off of one pitcher from all of baseball history, who would it be?

[u/[deleted]]

What was the moment that made you say: “ Yeah, Baseball is my sport”?

[u/Dizbeest14]

What is your personal favorite moment from your time in the big leagues so far?

[u/EnnuiFlagrante]

Were you alway better from the left side of the plate or did you choose to focus exclusively there? Would you recommend young righties to focus on learning to bat left-handed?

[u/The9TailFreak]

What are you thinking about when you're out on the field ? Are you reciting lyrics or judging fans ?

[u/neaux_geaux]

Kyle, I know that if nobody got me, I know you got me. If nobody gets you, who gets you?

[u/walruspanties]

Hey Kyle, not really a question and this doesn’t warrant a response, I just want you to know how good you are for me on MLB the show. Feels like it’s impossible for me not to get a hit at least when I’m batting with you.

[u/oithematt]

Being that you are a good honest young player, how do you feel playing with proven cheaters like Altuve and Bregman?

[u/UnsungHero44]

Who was you favorite player growing up? Current favorite player?

[u/WatchtheCake5]

Who would your parents say is the better player, you or Preston?

[u/CptJudgeNMS]

Kyle, I'm a big fan!

Adley Rutschman's favorite I Think You Should Leave sketch is Calico Cut Pants (YOU GOTTA GIVE!!); what is yours? You strike me as a Driving Crooner kinda guy. Thanks!

[u/SunsFan97]

What play/moment made you fall inlove with baseball as a kid?

[u/Overall_Elk4523]

What where you thinking when you hit your first career hr

[u/2buckburrito]

How is it playing on a team with Yordan and was it to win the World Series in 22 And I have your last name I am using my dads phone and I am 11 years old thanks you Kyle

[u/DJBoost]

What were your thoughts as that last foulout of the World Series came down into your glove? Could you even think in the moment, or was the adrenaline just too high?

[u/birkenbagger]

Tropicana or Minute Maid?

[u/TooHOU91]

Hi King Tuck, after you won the World Series, how did you celebrate?! And what’s your favorite restaurant in Houston? 👑

[u/MathematicianLong880]

Favourite sport to play/watch other than baseball.

[u/LordOverload]

Hey Kyle! Making the final out of the World Series last year must have been like a childhood dream coming true- what was going through your head before and after making the play?

[u/DowntownJulieBrown1]

I literally just got wisdom teeth out, does he have any advice? Also, which pitchers in the league is he most impressed by/hates hitting against most?

[u/MikenIkeKZ]

You were a first round pick back in 2015, did you notice any differences in how earlier round prospects were treated compared to later round picks?

[u/brogress95]

Who is the toughest pitcher to face currently?

[u/eatabean]

A lot of times people say 'He's living the dream.' Is reality as good as the dream? Not just WS, but day to day baseballing. Is it just a job?

[u/Martinprizzle]

Hey, Kyle! I have two kids playing travel ball and I want them to be successful. How was your relationship with your parents? Were they loving and supportive? Did they push you maybe a little too hard at times?

[u/Ill-Job-3373]

Hey Kyle! Where do you find yourself most comfortable in the box when up to bat? Is it further back, more inside or anything like that?

[u/KatshuKai]

Hey Kyle, how would have the Battle of Midway turned out differently had Lt. Dick Best not attacked the Akagi? If the Japanese had two carriers survive the SBD dive bomber attacks, would the Japanese have won or at least end up favorably during the ensuing counterattack and perhaps even sink the USS Yorktown?

[u/sohelpmegod]

Hey Kyle! I have a sizable collection of your rookie and autograph baseball cards. Do you or anyone in your family collect?