Derrik Lutz

Born to two high school students, Lutz didn't meet his father until he was a teen himself. His extended family rallied around him and helped raise him, and former George Washington recruiting coordinator Eric Healy discovered Lutz in high school and brought him in. Lutz was a Baseball America summer All-American thanks to his performance in the Cape Cod League last summer. He did not allow an earned run in 25 innings, notching 12 saves, 39 punchouts and three walks with Chatham. Elbow tendinitits held him back this spring, and his velocity and stuff had not been as consistently sound as they were last summer. He's a strike thrower with an aggressive approach. His fastball has sat mostly in the 84-87 mph range, though he was up to 94 mph last summer. It has some sink, but has not been the heavy pitch it was previously. His slider backed up, too. Its spin is average, though at times he will flash one that has plus potential. Lutz hasn't been used in the role he'll fill as a pro. He profiles as a set-up or middle reliever, and scouts are optimistic his stuff will play better once he's back in the bullpen. He doesn't offer any projection, as his body is thick and on the soft side.