Lucas Luetge’s time in New York needs to be studied.
Luetge went from being a career 4.35 ERA pitcher, last appearing in the Majors in 2015 and the minors in 2019, to then being signed by the New York Yankees and quickly became one of the best relief pitchers in baseball then falling back into obscurity.
It almost feels like those 2021 and 2022 seasons were non-existent for Luetge.
Lucas Luetge missed the 2020 MiLB season due to it being canceled for COVID. Despite having a 4.08 ERA in over 200 innings pitched in the minors from 2015-2019, the Yankees decided to take a chance and signed Luetge to a minor league contract with a non roster invite to spring training.
Luetge impressed in spring training, posting 18 punch-outs in under 11 innings pitched. New York selected the lefty to the opening day roster and he never left.
2021 featured a 4-2 winning season that was accompanied by a 2.74 ERA in 72.1 innings and 78 strikeouts.
2022 featured similar results with a 2.67 ERA in 57.1 innings and 60 strikeouts. The only big stat difference was the win-loss column, which was at 4-4.
Lucas Luetge produced big results in the Big Apple with back-to-back dominating seasons for a combined 2.71 ERA; putting him 20th all-time in Yankees’ franchise record books for pitchers who have recorded 100 or more innings.
New York DFA’d Luetge to make room for Tommy Kahnle. Luegte then was traded to the Atlanta Braves for multiple minor league players.
12 appearances and 13.2 innings with a bloated ERA of 7.24 is Lucas Luetge’s 2023 stat line.
Now a free agent after a low opportunity / negative production season, the 36-year-old may have his MLB career close out. No matter what is in store for Lucas Luetge, one thing is certain and has been sealed: He handled the New York lights and dominated.