Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Identifies Why Kyle Tucker Struggles at the Plate

Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (23) hits an RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Even on a team as star-studded as the Los Angeles Dodgers, somebody has to be the worst hitter on the team.

Surprisingly, though, it’s the team’s biggest offseason acquisition and the player who’s set the record for the contract with the highest average annual value.

Kyle Tucker signed a $240 million contract with an AAV of $57.1 million, per MLB Trade Rumors, but he’s only hitting .246 thus far this season.

The struggles even go back to spring training.

So what’s going on? Maybe he’s just trying too hard.

What’s Holding Back Kyle Tucker at the Plate?

Manager Dave Roberts was asked just that question on Sunday and said he’s seeing Tucker chase too many low pitches.

“He’s getting out of his zone, I see. He’s not a guy who typically chases down below, but he’s chasing a lot more down below for me,” Roberts said.

Tucker is more of a “high ball hitter,” Roberts added, and once Tucker returns to his comfort zone, he can work with hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc on cleaning up any mechanical issues.

“Typically when guys chase, they’re trying to do a little bit too much,” Roberts added.

Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (23) hits an RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

How is Kyle Tucker Playing in 2026?

In addition to the aforementioned issues with his batting average, Tucker has only nine RBIs and one home run so far this year.

His only two multi-hit games were April 3 and 4 against the Washington Nationals.

“Last week, he was 5-for-25 without an extra-base hit,” wrote Jack Harris of the California Post. “It’s early, and Tucker has still had some nice moments. But expectations were much, much higher than this.”

Tucker is also striking out more than he typically has in his career — Baseball Savant puts him in the bottom 40% of MLB players in this category — and even when he makes contact, it’s not solid.

His barrel percentage is in the 13th percentile, and his squared-up percentage is in the 20th percentile.

Granted, some of Tucker’s offensive struggles are offset by his defense, as he’s in the 86th percentile for fielding run value.

But for the highest annual salary in the sport, you expect production both offensively and defensively.