Underperforming Dodger Named Key Player for Second Half

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MLB.com’s Sonja Chen named Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker as a key player for the rest of the 2026 season.

Tucker signed with the Dodgers during the offseason on a record-breaking four-year, $240 million contract, though hasn’t quite performed up to standard for the Dodgers. Coming off of his seventh consecutive season with an OPS of .800 or higher, Tucker has a mark just above .700 this season, only hitting seven homers with 47 RBIs.

Chen believes a return to form for Tucker would be a huge boost to the Dodgers’ lineup, which is already among the best in MLB.

“Tucker has fallen short of the expectations that came with his four-year, $240 million contract, although he seemed to be gaining some momentum heading into the All-Star break,” Chen wrote. The Dodgers were one of the highest-scoring teams in baseball in the first half, but even so, the offensive production has been inconsistent for much of the season. Having Tucker perform closer to his capabilities in the heart of the order would considerably lengthen the lineup.”

Tucker had a couple of good showings just before the All-Star break, recording three and four-hit games within a week of each other, but struggled in the Dodgers’ most recent series against the New York Yankees. During the three-game stretch, Tucker recorded just two hits in 13 trips to the plate.

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Jun 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (23) celebrates with shortstop Mookie Betts (50) and third baseman Max Muncy (13) after hitting a three-run home run in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images

How Can Kyle Tucker Improve?​

Despite his struggles recently, Tucker believed he found the issue to his troubles at the plate just before the All-Star break. Those issues, he says, stem from falling behind in the count.

“Throughout the first half I just haven’t been able to put good swings,” Tucker said. “That’s where I’ll foul it off or swing through it. And then I’m just in worse counts, and they end up having more freedom to be able to throw whatever they want. And then you’ll just naturally start chasing, to where if I hit the ball in the first place and hit it for a single or double or whatever, just barrel something, I won’t even get in those counts to have to chase something.”

Per an anonymous MLB scout, though, the former All-Star’s problems are far deeper than finding himself in a pitcher’s count.

“He’s been caught in-between a s—load all season,” the scout said. “He gets drifty, and his swing almost looks like a two-handed tennis backhand. When he was at his best in Houston, he was grounded and staying on his backside longer, which allowed his barrel to really accelerate through the zone with leverage.”

If Tucker can return to the player he was with the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs, he will be a huge upgrade in the middle of the Dodgers’ lineup.

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