El Paso Chihuahuas outfielder and designated hitter Preston Tucker has had quite a baseball career and at 32, he’s still very productive.
This season, Tucker has been steady for the 28-35 Chihuahuas with 10 homers and 36 RBI and an on-base percentage of .492 and a batting average of .364.
“It’s been fun playing here in El Paso,” Tucker said. “There is a great energy here in El Paso that helps us as players. It’s a neat ballpark to play in as well. I’m trying to be consistent every day.”
Tucker was a star player at the University of Florida where he played in the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium and TD Ameritrade Stadium. He’s followed that up with a long professional career that has included stops in the Major Leagues and South Korea.
“Fortunately I’ve had some great experiences, had great teammates and played in some great ballparks,” said Tucker, who has 23 career major league baseball home runs. “Freedie Freeman and Ronald Acuna are two players in the majors that have stood out to me, both are generational talents.”
Tucker has a true appreciation of the game and still harbors hopes of reaching the majors.
“I love the game, I go out and continue to work hard every day and worry about working on my game and what I need to get better,” Tucker said. “Hopefully, I can help some of the younger players in some way as well.”
Tucker is the older brother of Houston Astros standout Kyle Tucker.
“We keep in touch and talk once a week,” Preston said. “He’s done well in his career and been consistent. He works hard and I’m happy for him. He has a lot of tools and he wants to be among the best.”
El Paso baseball fans were treated on the last homestand with the arrival of seven-time All-Star Nelson Cruz on an injury rehab assignment from the San Diego Padres.
Cruz suffered a right hamstring strain, and hit three homers in 111 plate appearances for the Padres before the injury. The Chihuahuas are the top farm club for San Diego.
Cruz appeared in four games with the team against Oklahoma City, all as a designated hitter and had five hits in 16 at-bats with a home run and three RBI.
Cruz is also a four-time Silver Slugger award winner, the 2011 American League Championship MVP and has hit 462 career homers.
The Chihuahuas are back in action on Tuesday on the road at Round Rock.
More: Iglesias earns weekly award El Paso Chihuahuas infielder Jose Iglesias earns Pacific Coast League award
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at [email protected]; @Fchavezetimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Preston Tucker proves steady for the El Paso Chihuahuas