Josh Lueke

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #12 prospect in 2011
  Seattle acquired Lueke as part of the package they received from the Rangers in the Cliff Lee trade in July, but his arrival quickly turned into a media firestorm. Lueke was charged with rape and sodomy in a May 2008 incident and served 42 days in jail before reaching a plea agreement to a lesser charge of false imprisonment with violence. Mariners officials claimed they weren't aware of the charges when they made the deal, though his past was common knowledge within the industry. From a pure talent standpoint, Lueke has all the tools for success. He has a quick arm, and his fastball sits between 94-98 mph and comes at hitters from a steep downhill angle. He mixes in a splitter that falls off the table, a slider that's also a plus pitch and an occasional changeup. Lueke has the power arsenal to get out both lefthanders and righthanders, and he attacks the strike zone with a closer's mentality. Lueke is ready to pitch in a major league bullpen, but the Mariners will have to decide if they want that to happen in Seattle. They added him to their 40-man roster in November.