Joey Lucchesi to Make His Padres and MLB Debut Friday vs. Brewers
Credit: AP Photo
The Padres announced, hours before their Opening Day game against the Brewers on Thursday, that Joey Lucchesi will make his major league debut and start Friday’s game. That spot was originally Dinelson Lamet’s before he went down with an injury.
Andy Green announces that Joey Lucchesi will start Game 2 tomorrow.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 29, 2018
Joey Lucchesi’s service clock will start tomorrow … when he starts against the Brewers.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) March 29, 2018
Dennis Lin brings up a point much on the minds of Padres fans. It looks like the Friars care not about saving a year of Lucchesi’s contract down the road, as they would have had to wait until April 13th to not have this year count against his contract, per service time rules. However, if he is ready and performs well, who cares? He has proven a lot in the minor leagues, holding a 1.99 ERA in 39 career games, 33 of those being starts. The 24 year-old has shot up the farm system and now has reached the major leagues, realizing every prospect’s dream. Now the question will be can he make Padres fans’ dreams come true by becoming a force to be reckoned with?
Lucchesi pitched very well in spring with just a 1.54 ERA in 11 2/3 innings and nine strikeouts. He has earned high praise from his manager Andy Green.
“He has a competitive nature, ability to focus on the mound. There’s real deception to his stuff. The big thing for him is to pitch like he always has. We have tons of confidence in Joey starting and being a part of the rotation for a long time.” – Green on @JoeyFuego44 pic.twitter.com/QFuUFB2Lwh
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 29, 2018
He certainly seemed to have a poise beyond his years. Could this be the start of the next wave of talent? The pitching prospects have seemingly been behind some of the top hitting guys but Lucchesi could be exactly what the Padres need.
Personally, I don’t see this as a “spot start,” especially if he does well. They will make room for him in this rotation, now that his clock has started, if he pitches well enough. If the Padres are hoping to improve from last year and achieve executive Ron Fowler’s goal of being around .500, he will need to.
Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.