Grizzlies' Tucker stays scorching hot

After nearly forcing the Astros to take him north when Spring Training broke, Kyle Tucker had a solid first two months. In June, though, he's been on another level.
MLB.com's No. 10 overall prospect is hitting .413 this month after collecting three more singles on Friday in Triple-A Fresno's 7-5 loss to Albuquerque at Chukchansi Park.

Gameday box score
It was the fourth straight three-hit game and seventh during a season-high 11-game hitting streak for Tucker, who's 22-for-47 (.468) during that stretch with a homer and nine RBIs.
"Everyone has their streaks during the season," he said. "I'm doing well right now, and even balls I don't hit well are falling. I'm just trying to keep this going."
On Friday, the top Astros prospect extended the streak with a line drive single to right in the first inning. He singled to center in the third and grounded a base hit into right in the fifth. He had two shots at a fourth hit but struck out in the seventh and was robbed of extra bases in the ninth on a running catch by right fielder Raimel Tapia.
Manager Rodney Linares has been impressed with his right fielder's run of late.
"I said it earlier in the year, when they were talking power numbers -- I said, 'I've seen this kid hit seven homers in a week, so nothing surprises me, hitting-wise,'" Linares said. "He just does it. It's not pretty, but it works. He should have [had] four hits tonight, but Tapia robbed him in the ninth."

For once, though, Tucker was outdone as the Grizzlies had a six-game winning streak snapped. Sixth-ranked Rockies prospectGarrett Hampson had a career-high five hits -- all singles -- and drove in a run to key the Isotopes' 13-hit attack. Hampson had four four-hit games with Class A Advanced Lancaster last season.

Tapia doubled three times for Albuquerque, while Mike Tauchman contributed a pair of singles and three RBIs.
For Tucker, this season has served as validation of a remarkable showing in 44 at-bats in the Grapefruit League, where he opened eyes by hitting .409 with five homers and 21 RBIs. He was assigned to Fresno, where he batted .293/.371/.457 in his first month at Triple-A.
"He hit .430 in Spring Training, and he didn't let it get to his head. Maybe he plays too much Fortnite for me," the Fresno manager said with a laugh, "but he comes in and always does his work."

The younger brother of Braves outfielder Preston Tucker enjoyed a string of solid seasons after he was selected fifth overall in the 2015 Draft. The Tampa native jumped to the head of the prospect list with a breakout 2017 campaign, setting numerous career highs while hitting .274/.346/.528 with 25 homers, 90 RBIs and 70 runs scored in 120 games between Class A Advanced Buies Creek and Double-A Corpus Christi.
The big leagues are the obvious next step, but the Astros outfield is loaded and Tucker acknowledges his debut might have to wait.
"I don't get too caught up in that," he said. "It's my job to win games here. Our big league outfield is pretty great, and they're in first place, so I totally understand. It's not like I think I should be playing over [George] Springer."