Class-A Advanced
Prospects on Deck: LHP Joey Lucchesi – Padres
Shutting down hitters in the California League.
The San Diego Padres drafted Joey Lucchesi in the 4th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur draft from Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Lucchesi started his professional baseball career on June 20, 2016, with the Tri-City Dust Devils (Low A) in the Northwest League. In his first outing, he came on in relief and in three innings, allowed two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Lucchesi then settled down and his next three outings he record his first professional save, threw four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four. He then started the next 10 games and on the season finished 0-2, with a 1.35 ERA, with 53 strikeouts in 40 innings.
On September 2, the Newark, California native came out of the pen for the Fort Wayne Tin Cups (Class-A Advanced), and in two innings, gave up four hits, no runs, a walk and struck out three.
This season the Padres assigned Lucchesi to the Lake Elsinore Storm (Class-Full Season) in the California League and so far he has been untouchable.
In his first start, the 23-year old gave up two runs on two home runs, allowed four hits, two walks and struck out six batters. But since has been lights out.
Image Source: MiLB.com
In his second outing on April 12th, Lucchesi tossed five shutout innings, allowing just three hits, three walks and struck out five. On April 19th, he pitched his best game of the young season, tossing six shutout innings, allowing one hit, three walks and struck out eight batters.
In his last start on Tuesday, Lucchesi pitched another gem to earn his first win in 2017 for the Storm, throwing six shutout innings, allowing four hits, no walks and eight strikeouts. The 6’5″ lefty has not allowed a run in 17 innings and has 21 strikeouts in his last three games.
Overall on the season, Lucchesi is 1-0, with a 0.86 ERA, one save, and 27 strikeouts in 21 innings, has a 0.95 WHIP and opponents are batting just .167 against him. He is also amongst the league leaders in strikeouts, tied for first with A.J. Puk of the Stockton Ports.
Joey Lucchesi is another young star to watch this season.
David Conde
David is the Founder and Co-Owner of Legends On Deck and Co-Host of the Legends On Deck Podcast. A lifelong sports fan with a special passion for the New York Mets and New York Knicks, David has spent more than a decade covering the sports he loves. From 2010 to 2014, he served as a Senior Editor for MetsMerized Online and Mets Minors, and in June 2014 fulfilled a lifelong dream by covering the New York Mets at Citi Field as a credentialed writer. As Legends On Deck has expanded beyond baseball, David has enjoyed diving into more sports, learning along the way and sharing those stories with readers and listeners. Married for over 27 years and the proud father of two adult sons, he continues to connect with sports fans through Legends On Deck, the podcast and social media.
