Ex-player drops bold Kyle Tucker prediction amid early season slump

May 2, 2026 - 21:30

The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a monster $240 million to land Kyle Tucker in MLB Free Agency. Tucker hasn’t delivered the consistent epic swings that LA fans envisioned, though, via the Chicago Cubs.

Tucker dealt with reports of a lineup change within the Dodgers in late April. Manager Dave Roberts eventually plugged Tucker at the cleanup spot.

Though he smacked the winning hit on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Now an ex-player has defended Tucker amid the current slump.

Jerry Hairston Jr. isn’t shying away from giving up on Tucker’s potential with Dodger Blue yet. He even dropped this bold prediction for the MLB All-Star Saturday.

“It takes some time to find their footing a little bit but once he does, he can be a guy that can carry a team for weeks, even a month,” Hairston said. “The Kyle Tucker breakout is coming in due time.”

“It takes some time to find their footing a little bit but once he does, he can be a guy that can carry a team for weeks, even a month.”
– @TheRealJHair fully expects Kyle Tucker to catch fire for the Dodgers soon pic.twitter.com/n3t1HyYYLS
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) May 2, 2026

Did the April 26 rip against Miami could signal a turnaround for Tucker?

The 29-year-old managed to chip one hit each during the next three-game series against the Miami Marlins. He drove two of his Dodgers teammates into home plate in the 5-4 victory over Miami back on Monday off an RBI single. He blasted two more hits after that Wednesday victory as LA took consecutive losses to Miami in going 1-2 against them.

Tucker still is enduring a decline in production. He’s dipped from .266 with his 2025 batting average to .237 this season, which is his worst mark since 2018 while with the Houston Astros. He’s chipped only 28 hits with 21 runs scored.

But Hairston isn’t surrendering his hope in the prized LA acquisition. Believing that a breakthrough is coming soon.

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