How former Louisville baseball star Lucas Dunn is already showing his value within the San Diego Padres organization.
One of the biggest fan favorites in Louisville baseball history is no doubt Lucas Dunn. Lucas is a man of many identities. His ability to do everything on the field earned him the nickname, “Swiss Army Knife.”
That’s not his only nickname however. While on the field at Louisville, you could flip on the radio broadcast to hear the legendary voice of the Cardinals, Sean Moth, refer to Dunn as, “Calvin Klein.” This of course being in reference to his token blonde hair and fun personality on the field.
This made it easy for the Cardinal faithful to grow fond of Dunn quickly. It made for a bittersweet moment when it was time for him to move on in the 2021 Major League Draft.
Dunn was selected in the eighth round of the draft, number 250 overall, by the San Diego Padres.
He is currently playing for the High-A affiliate of San Diego, the Fort Wayne TinCaps. While on a road trip to play the Peoria Chiefs, I had the chance to catch up with Lucas before a game.
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Swiss Army Knife personified
Lucas has played a little bit of everywhere to this point in his pro career. He bounced all over the diamond at Class-A affiliate Lake Elsinore, before finding a more permanent home at third base after his promotion to Fort Wayne.
What may surprise Louisville fans though, is that Lucas has even logged a few games at catcher.
“That is something that came up towards the end of last season, during instructs,” Dunn said about catching, “I’ve actually put a lot of time in back there even into spring training. I played two games back there in Lake Elsinore, and they went okay.” Lucas said with a laugh.
While catching is something that is relatively new to Dunn, he is a natural athlete that can fit in anywhere on the field. In fact, there was a time at Louisville where he was campaigning for the opportunity to play in all nine positions in a game.
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The past foreshadowed the future
Louisville fans may be surprised to know that Dunn has a history of pitching as well. While at Arnold High School in Panama City Beach, Florida, he registered a 2.82 ERA with 71 strikeouts on the mound as a high school senior.
As a freshman at Louisville, Dunn received considerable time on the mound in his first fall. While it is something that never happened during a game at Louisville, it just shows the ridiculous versatility that Dunn has and it has only gotten better as he has progressed on to the pro level with the Padres.
To this point in his pro career, Dunn has been as consistent as it gets. So far this season, he has amassed 62 RBI’s in 110 games played while batting in the top half of the order for both Lake Elsinore and Fort Wayne.
His ability to drive in runs at a high rate, above average speed, and versatility with the glove has now landed Lucas on the Padres top prospect list. According to MLB Pipeline, he checks in at number 30 on the Padres organizational list.
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Just the latest in a long line of Louisville prospects to make the MLB Pipeline organization lists. A process that begins at Louisville.
“The draft itself speaks for what coach Mac does, he makes professional baseball players,,” said Dunn, “and also just the culture and the experience of winning and getting to compete for championships every year is so much fun. I’m so glad I went to Louisville.”
Louisville fans know the presence that the coaching staff has in recruiting locally. Drawing in the top players from Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois is something that the coaching staff thrives on. Dunn does not fit that mold however.
How does a baseball player from Panama City Beach, Florida end up at the University of Louisville?
“My dad is actually from Louisville,” said Dunn, “I came to the camps four straight years and really got to know the coaching staff.”
It is clear that family ties matter to Lucas. Many Louisville fans are aware of his stint with the United States Collegiate National Team. Many however, are unaware of his ties to Germany, and growing up playing for the German National baseball team.
“That’s my mom, my mom was born in Germany,” said Lucas, “growing up she really didn’t speak the best English so she taught me German.”
It is through his mom that Lucas was able to play for team Germany in middle and high school. Many who come to Louisville have ties to playing for national baseball teams. Not many though can say that they represented two different countries. A perfect example of what Louisville fans already know, Lucas Dunn does it all.
I saw Lucas play at U of Va. In 2019. Bobby Miller pitched for UL against Mike Vasil for UVA (in the Mets org. now).