'True superstar' Tucker brings deep playoff experience to Cubs

MESA, Ariz. -- Kyle Tucker has played on the October stage in each of the past six seasons, including running down the final out of the Astros¡¯ World Series triumph over the Phillies three years ago. The new Cubs star plans on continuing his postseason streak with his new ballclub.

¡°We did have a lot of team success over in Houston and I¡¯m hoping to continue that here,¡± Tucker said. ¡°I¡¯m excited to get after it with these guys. We have a really good ballclub, and I think we have a really good opportunity to have a lot of success this year and make it to the playoffs and have a run at the World Series.¡±

On Friday, Tucker went through the first full-squad workout of the spring for the Cubs, who acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Astros in December. This marks his first Spring Training with a new organization, following parts of seven seasons in the Majors with Houston, which picked him fifth overall in the 2015 Draft.

Tucker spent time at the Cubs¡¯ facility as part of his Arizona Fall League experience as a prospect years ago, so he is not completely unfamiliar with the layout. What is new are the faces around the complex, plus the pressure that comes with being the focal point of a crucial offseason for a team trying to end a playoff drought.

The Cubs believe Tucker is equipped for the challenge ahead.

¡°Kyle, one of his gifts is he has the ability to keep things really simple,¡± Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. ¡°That is a gift in this game. And he kind of requires that and demands that, and that¡¯s a good thing. When you hear things like that from a player, you tend to watch for a little while and observe for a little while, and then find your spots.¡±

Counsell will have no problem finding Tucker a spot in the lineup, given the kind impact bat he is bringing to the North Siders. He would be a logical choice to bat second or third, given the .888 OPS and 145 OPS+ he has logged over the past four seasons. Tucker put up 21.1 bWAR in 525 games in that span (or a rate of 6.5 per 162 games).

Last year, Tucker was limited to 78 games due to injury, but still hit .289/.408/.585 with 23 homers, 49 RBIs, more walks (56) than strikeouts (54) and 4.7 bWAR.

¡°He¡¯s a true superstar,¡± Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner said. ¡°He does absolutely every part of baseball well, which you don¡¯t really see from many players, even guys that are All-Stars every year.¡±

Tucker said it helps to have veteran reliever Ryan Pressly (also acquired from the Astros over the offseason) in camp. The outfielder has worked out with righty Nate Pearson in the offseason, giving him another familiar face. Tucker was hoping Alex Bregman would also join the Cubs via free agency, but the former Houston star agreed to a deal with Boston.

¡°Obviously, I¡¯m sad that I¡¯m not going to be able to play with him this year,¡± Tucker said. ¡°But you never know what the future holds. He¡¯s such a phenomenal person, player. I wasn¡¯t trying to sway him one way or another. That¡¯s a personal decision.¡±

As for his own future, Tucker is eligible for free agency after this season. That adds to the importance of trying to make the most of this run with a Cubs team that looks more than capable of reaching the playoffs.

¡°Right now, I'm a Chicago Cub,¡± Tucker said. ¡°I¡¯m excited to be here and try to win games for the Cubbies.¡±