Zach Lutz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #16 prospect in 2012
  The 2007 NCAA Division III player of the year as a senior at Alvernia (Pa.) in 2007-- where his father Yogi served as head coach--Lutz fractured a bone in his left foot while making a backhand play during the first inning of his first pro game that summer. The injury served as a harbinger of things to come. Lutz appeared in just 25 games during his first two seasons as he dealt with further problems in his left ankle, not making his full-season debut until 2009. More ankle and foot woes limited him to half-seasons in 2009 and 2010, and his litany of injuries last season included two concussions, a hamstring injury and a broken left ring finger. When healthy, Lutz hits the ball as hard as any Mets farmhand and ranks as the system's most advanced power prospect. He has served notice of his offensive potential by batting .292/.384/.544 with 29 homers in 127 games at the Double-A and Triple-A levels during the last two years. He has the bat speed and strength to hit for at least average power in the big leagues. He shortens his swing with two strikes, so he may hit for an acceptable average too. He throws well enough to play third base but his myriad lower-body injuries have robbed him of his range, to the point where it's no better than fringy. His speed is well below-average. If he can stay healthy, Lutz could serve as a big league power source as soon as this season.
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  Ranked New York Mets #19 prospect in 2011
  The NCAA Division III player of the year as a senior at Alvernia (Pa.) in 2007, Lutz fractured a bone in his left foot while backhanding a ball at third base during the first inning of his first pro game. He spent the next six months on crutches and didn't reach full-season ball until 2009, when he missed more time when his ankle flared up. A stress fracture in his left foot cost him six weeks last season as well. The repeated injuries have hampered his speed and lateral movement significantly, but Lutz hasn't lost his power stroke. He cracked 17 homers in 61 games and slugged .578 in Double-A last year, showing a quick bat, strong hands and plus raw power. He uses an open stance and tries to pull the ball for power by collapsing his back side in his swing, which gets him in trouble against pitchers who can locate away. He projects as an average hitter because he has a plan at the plate and shortens his swing with two strikes. Lutz makes the routine play at third base and has an average arm, but injuries have robbed him of much of his formerly average range. He could make his way as a corner-infield extra with thunder in his bat. The Mets added him to the 40-man roster in November and he's ready for Triple-A.
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  Ranked New York Mets #21 prospect in 2010
  Lutz's professional career literally got off on the wrong foot in the first inning of his first game. He rolled over his left foot while making a backhand play on a grounder, fracturing the navicular bone on the top of his foot. The injury left him on crutches for six months and has stalled his development. He didn't make it to a full-season team until 2009 and his speed and range have suffered. The NCAA Division III player of the year as a senior in 2007, Lutz's value lies solely in his bat. He has a compact swing and the ball sounds different coming off his bat. He has a chance to hit for average and at least gap power, and he controls the strike zone well. Lutz is a poor runner, doesn't move well laterally and fields balls too close to his body. His arm and overall ability at third base are just adequate, and he started to see action at first base last season. "He could be a role player," a scout said. "He reminded me of Ron Coomer, a stockier guy who can swing the bat, drive in runs, make the routine play." Lutz finished 2009 with eight games in Double-A and will return there this season, a pivotal year in determining whether his bat can propel him to at least a major league bench role.
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  Ranked New York Mets #14 prospect in 2009
  Lutz had been billed as the player to watch at Brooklyn in 2007, but in the first game of his pro debut, he suffered a season-ending injury. Fielding a backhand play down the line in the first inning of his Cyclones debut, Lutz's foot rolled over. He gutted through two at-bats, but spent the next six months on crutches with a fractured navicular bone at the top of the foot. Lutz, the first freshman first-team all-American in NCAA Division III history, and the D-III national player of the year his final collegiate season, finally returned to action as the Cyclones opened their 2008 season. He has a chance to be a special hitter if he can stay healthy. The ball has a different sound off of his bat. While Lutz has the ability to play third base, he also could land at first base or left field. He's considered an average fielder at best, with an unspectacular arm and fringy range. Mets officials, however, insist that some of that less-than-stellar range stemmed from gutting through a quadriceps injury last season. That leg issue resulted in Lutz's season prematurely ending July 18. The Mets hope Lutz says healthy for once as he heads for low Class A and club officials again are looking for a breakout season from him.