Elvis Luciano
| IP | 33 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.455 |
| WHIP | 1.818 |
| BB/9 | 6.545 |
| SO/9 | 7.364 |
- Full name Elvis Enmanuel Luciano
- Born 02/15/2000 in Jubey, Boca Chica, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- Debut 03/31/2019
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: Luciano was acquired from the D-backs, along with minor league reliever Gabe Speier, in June 2018 in exchange for major league outfielder Jon Jay. He spent most of his first season with the Royals by making 11 starts in the Rookie-level Appalachian League followed by two appearances in the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Since Luciano's original contract with the D-backs was voided before he re-signed with them, he was eligible for the Rule 5 draft, and the Blue Jays selected him with the No. 10 pick.
Scouting Report: Possessing a good feel for pitching, Luciano works off a low-90s fastball that can touch 95 mph. With an efficient delivery and athletic frame, he could add more velocity as he matures. His 84-86 mph slider flashes plus with late tilt. Rounding out his arsenal is an 82-85 mph changeup with above-average potential, giving him three pitches that he can use to get swings and misses.
The Future: The Royals weren't even sure Luciano would break camp with a full-season club in 2019, so Luciano is an extreme longshot gamble to be able to stick all year on Toronto's major league roster. -
The D-backs saw Luciano throw just twice before snapping him up for $85,000 in the fall of 2016. They liked his heavy fastball, the spin on his breaking ball and his feel for a changeup. Luciano pitched in 2017 at the tender age of 17, but he is advanced beyond his years. He has an athletic delivery, a loose arm, a good feel for pitching and an unfazed demeanor on the mound. He began the year in the Dominican Summer League but moved to the Rookie-level Arizona League before finishing in the Rookie-level Pioneer League and getting a taste of the Pioneer League playoffs. He sits 91-93 mph with his fastball but the D-backs believe he has a chance to get up to the mid-90s. His changeup projects to be a plus pitch, and he shows feel to spin a curveball that has slurvy shape. Luciano is years away from the big leagues but has the raw ingredients to be a big league starter.
