Astros Sign Fifth-Overall Selection Kyle Tucker

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced today the signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker, who was selected with the fifth-overall selection in the first round of the 2015 MLB First Year Player Draft. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The official announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow and Astros Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Elias.

Tucker, 18, hit .484 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 29 runs scored in his senior year at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Fla. The left-handed hitting outfielder was named the 2014-15 Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year, an award also won by several standout Major Leaguers, including Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, David Price, Roy Halladay and the Astros own Lance McCullers.

Tucker is the younger brother of Astros outfielder Preston Tucker, who the Astros selected in the seventh round of the 2012 June Draft out of the University of Florida.

"Kyle Tucker was one of the premier bats of this year's draft class and has the ability to hit in the heart of our lineup in the future," said Elias. "He's a tall, strong left-handed hitter with a great swing, a track record of success and plus power to both fields. He also runs well and is a polished outfielder. We're especially pleased to welcome him to our organization and we look forward to him playing alongside his older brother Preston in the Major Leagues."

Prior to Tucker, the Astros had never selected an outfielder this high in the draft in franchise history. Willie Ansley previously held that distinction as he was drafted by Houston with the seventh-overall selection in the 1988 Draft.

Tucker is the first member of the Astros 2015 draft class to officially sign with the club. He will be assigned to the Astros Gulf Coast League affiliate.

-ASTROS-