Fastball

New Chicago Cubs Outfielder Kyle Tucker Made Baseball History in 2024 Season

Tucker didn't play a full season, but that didn't stop him from making some awesome baseball history.

Brady Farkas

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (30) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 26.
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (30) runs the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 26. / Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
In this story:

Last Friday, the Chicago Cubs shocked the baseball world by trading for Houston Astros star outfielder Kyle Tucker. One of the best hitters in baseball, Tucker's presence will be a big one for the Cubs as they try to rebound from a second-place finish in the National League Central.

His absence will also be a big one for the Astros as they look to win the American League West again.

The 27-year-old Tucker battled injury last season, playing in just 78 games, but he still had an incredibly productive season. He hit .289 with a .408 on-base percentage, smacking 23 homers and driving in 49. He helped the Astros win the division and advance to the playoffs, where they were beaten by the Detroit Tigers in the wild card round.

Tucker's season also made some unique baseball history, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

most WAR in a season since 1900, position players who played fewer than 80 games:

2024 Kyle Tucker: 4.7
2021 Byron Buxton: 4.6
1995 Matt Williams: 4.6
1949 Joe DiMaggio: 4.3
1999 Jason Kendall: 4.1

Tucker is already a three-time All-Star who has received MVP votes in three different seasons. He has also won a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger.

Lifetime, he's a .274 hitter with 125 homers and 417 RBI. As of now,. he'd pair with Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki as outfield options for the Cubs. However, there's been talk of the Cubs trading one or both of Suzuki and former National League MVP Cody Bellinger.

Follow Fastball On SI on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/History