Kyle Tucker could help Blue Jays improve this specific area of their lineup

The Toronto Blue Jays continue to be linked to the biggest free agent name on the market. Kyle Tucker has yet to sign, though his market seems to really be developing. Some insiders believe the Blue Jays are the only ones willing to pay top dollar for him, while others have floated out the idea that teams like the San Francisco Giants are emerging in the Tucker sweepstakes.

Regardless of who is involved, one of the main areas that would help the Blue Jays improve from last season's numbers is how well Tucker hits against lefties. Tucker hits from the left side, but his numbers against southpaws have been above average over his career.

Kyle Tucker could help Blue Jays improve this specific area of their lineup

In his career, Tucker has hit .268/.337.505 with an .842 OPS in 1096 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. He's hit 56 home runs with 262 hits and since his first full season in 2021 (not counting the COVID-shortened 2020) his strike out percentage sits at 13.9%. That is the 7th best percentage among left-handed hitters (min. 300 plate appearances) batting against left-handed throwers.

Using those same parameter's, Tucker's hard hit rate is at 36.9% and also ranks seventh. So it's fair to suggest that Tucker doesn't give in during any at-bat no matter the handedness of the guy on the mound. That bodes well for a team like the Blue Jays, whose lefties struggled at the plate.

Toronto's left handed hitters combined for a .240/.306/.413 slash line with a 99 wRC+ which ranked 19th in the majors. Those numbers decreased further when they had a lefty hitter versus lefty thrower matchup. They produced just a 71 wRC+ with a 24% strikeout rate and .288 OBP in those situations. Nathan Lukes was the most productive in left-on-left at-bats. He got on base at a .340 clip with 10 hits and six walks.

Addison Barger had the most hits, with 18 in 83 at-bats and six walks but he also struck out at a 30.3% rate and had a .270 OBP. Along with Daulton Varsho and Andrés Giménez this main group of lefties hit a combined four home runs off left-handed throwers in 2025. Tucker by himself hit eight of his 22 home runs against southpaws.

While bringing in Tucker would help the Blue Jays improve on their offensive numbers overall, it would also prop up their numbers specifically from the left side of the plate and make them a much tougher offense to draw up a game plan against.