Luke Hudson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #11 prospect in 2003
  Hudson was part of two national championship youth teams and won consecutive California state high school titles in 1994-95. He spurned an Orioles fifth-round offer out of high school to attend Tennessee, where he posted a 6.82 ERA in his draft year (1998) yet still went in the fourth round. He joined the Reds in the Pokey Reese trade with Colorado in December 2001. Hudson's fastball sat in the 91-93 mph range when he was a starter, but after moving to the bullpen last year he should be able to reach the mid-90s consistently. His curveball is a tight knee-buckler. Command always has been an issue for Hudson. He still hasn't learned to locate his fastball to both sides of the plate, which is what prompted his shift to relief. His changeup velocity is too close to his fastball, though he doesn't need the change as much out of the bullpen. He made strides with his delivery last year. General manager Jim Bowden was a proponent of moving Hudson to the pen. He could settle into the role and break camp as part of the Reds staff.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #19 prospect in 2002
  Because they didn't want to tender a contract to Pokey Reese, whom they didn't want to go to arbitration with, the Reds traded him to the Rockies in December. The transaction was essentially a salary dump plus a swap of lefthanded relievers (Dennys Reyes for Gabe White), but Cincinnati also got Hudson. He could amount to more than a throw-in. Hudson had a lot of success as an amateur--winning national titles in Pony Baseball's Pony (13-14) and Colt (15-16) programs, plus two California state championships in high school--but hasn't translated it to the professional level. Despite having a losing record in three of his four pro seasons, Hudson has the physical ability. Scouts love his body and his arm, but he lacks command of his fastball. Hitters seem to pick it up easily though he throws in the low 90s. He does have a good curveball with depth and a decent changeup. The Reds will take a good look at Hudson in spring training before deciding whether to send him to Triple-A or back to Double-A.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #11 prospect in 2001
  As an amateur, Hudson won two California state high school titles and national championships in Pony League (13-14) and Colt League (15-16) competition. He has had elbow soreness as a pro, but shook it off to finish strong in 2000. With his size, Hudson projects to add velocity to a fastball that already reaches the low 90s with regularity. He also has command of a slider and changeup, but has to be more aggressive throwing strikes. His biggest need is staying healthy. He was hit in the face by a line drive during instructional league in 1998 and has faced nagging, unrelated injuries ever since. His 100 innings last year were the most he has worked in three pro seasons. He'll pitch in Double-A to start this season.