Draft profile: Kyle Tucker
*** With the 2015 First-Year Player Draft fast approaching, we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class. ***
Name: Kyle Tucker
Position: OF
School: Plant HS, Fla.
Rank on Draft Top 200: 7
DOB: 1/17/1997
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6'4" Weight: 175 lbs.
College commitment: Florida
Tools
Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale
30: Well below average
40: Below average
50: Average
60: Above average
70-80: Well above average
Hit: 60
Power: 55
Run: 50
Arm: 55
Field: 50
Overall: 55
Stats
Games: 23
Avg: .407
AB: 54
2B: 6
HR: 8
RBI: 21
OBP: .581
Scouting report
Though Preston Tucker shot up through the Astros system and made it to the Major Leagues earlier this year, scouts say there's no doubt that his younger brother is a better prospect. Like Preston, Kyle committed to Florida out of Tampa's Plant High -- Hall of Famer Wade Boggs' alma mater -- but he's more likely to turn pro out of high school.
Tucker has one of the purest swings and best bats in the 2015 high school crop. He makes consistent hard contact and, once he fills out his lanky frame, he could be a plus hitter in both average and power.
He's a more well-rounded player than his older brother and should have average-or-better tools across the board. He'll likely move from center field to a corner spot in pro ball and has the arm strength needed to play right. A very strong spring moved him behind fellow Floridian Brendan Rodgers as the second best high school bat in the class.
MLB comp: Hunter Pence
Fun fact: Kyle hit 31 home runs at Plant, breaking the previous record of 29 by his brother, Preston.
They said it: "I don't know too much about what an 18-year-old baseball player should look like right now, but as a hitter he's more polished than anyone I've seen him play with or against. He can swing it, but his discipline and his approach is a little more refined than most guys."
-- Preston Tucker