Kyle Tucker hits first Dodgers home run with towering spring blast

PEORIA, Ariz.–– It was the first, the Dodgers hope, of many.On Friday night, in a 10-7 win against the Seattle Mariners in a spring game at Peoria Sports Complex, newest star signing Kyle Tucker delivered his first home run as a member of the team, clanging a mammoth 419-foot blast halfway up the center field batter’s eye.“For him to get into one today, that was good for us to see, good for him,” manager Dave Roberts said.

“Man, it’s just fun to watch him compete in the batter’s box.”Friday’s home run came at the end of a full-count battle, with Tucker staying alive on a two-strike slider against Mariners left-hander (and former Dodgers prospect) Robinson Ortiz before rocketing a fastball with a 108.1 mph exit velocity.“That,” Roberts said of the four-time All-Star and $240 million offseason signing, “certainly epitomizes what he does with the bat.”California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!The sequence was also Tucker’s first real highlight of the spring, after a relatively quiet start to Cactus League play.Up to that point, Tucker had only two hits in 11 at-bats –– having missed a week at the start of the month to return home to Florida for the birth of his first child –– albeit while drawing six walks and only striking out twice.“It seems like every at-bat he’s running a three-ball count,” Roberts said.Power is only part of the offensive profile that has made Tucker one of the premier offensive threats in the sport.His career-high for a season is 30 (accomplished in both 2021 and 2022). But, the Dodgers are hoping it’s an area where he can flourish this season, optimistic the 29-year-old will emerge as an MVP candidate in his debut season in LA.On Friday, h...