Luke Bard

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #23 prospect in 2014
  The Twins still aren't sure exactly what they have in Bard--younger brother of former Red Sox reliever Daniel--as nagging injuries have limited him to 19 innings through his first two professional seasons. Drafted 42nd overall out of Georgia Tech in 2012, Bard signed for $1.227 million despite a torn lat muscle that cut short his junior season. He aggravated the injury during instructional league and then struggled with biceps tendinitis and a sore throwing shoulder last spring, so he had to wait until late July to get back on the mound. Command remains an issue for Bard, who walked 7.5 batters per nine innings in limited time, but he did finish 2013 with seven straight scoreless outings. When he's healthy, Bard has some of the best pure stuff in the organization. He flashed an above-average fastball that touched 97 mph as a reliever in college and sat at 93-95 as a starter in 2012. His slider also grades out as a plus pitch at its best, showing good depth and late bite in the low 80s. His changeup is clearly a third pitch, but it has the potential to be an average offering. Despite a frustrating start to his career, Bard still displays strong makeup and the type of smooth arm action and delivery that makes him a starting candidate. That, however, would require him to prove he can hold up to the physical burden.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #12 prospect in 2013
  Like his big league brother Daniel, Bard struggled with a shift from relieving to starting in 2012. While Daniel couldn't find the strike zone, Luke tore a lat muscle on March 31, ending his junior season at Georgia Tech. After signing for $1,227,000 as the 42nd overall pick in the 2012 draft, he pitched seven pro innings before reaggravating the injury in instructional league. While he doesn't have his brother's easy gas, Bard pitches off his fastball and has above-average velocity. He sat as high as 93-95 mph as a starter in college and touched 97 as a reliever. His slider made significant progress in 2012, showing more consistency, depth and late bite. It's a well above-average pitch when at its best. He flashes an average changeup that needs more consistency. Bard has the clean arm action and sound delivery to become a full-time starter. He'll need to learn to sequence his pitches better and prove he can hold up in that role. If healthy, Bard will open his first full pro season in the rotation of one of the Twins' Class A affiliates. At best, he'll be a No. 3 starter. At worst, he should be one of the best relievers from the entire 2012 draft class.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #93 prospect in 2012 draft
  Bard's older brother Daniel attended North Carolina and was a 2006 first-round pick prior to reaching the major leagues with the Red Sox. Boston also drafted Luke out of high school, in the 16th round in 2009, but he didn't sign and attended Georgia Tech. Like his older brother, Bard has excellent arm strength and an iffy breaking ball. He's not as explosive as his brother but has plenty of power in his fastball, at times sitting 93-95 mph. He also flashed a power breaking ball with depth and late bite. Injuries and ineffective freshmen led Georgia Tech to give Bard a couple of starts, and he was effective while sticking to two pitches. He left a start against Duke on March 31 after 4 1/3 innings, however, and has not pitched since then. Doctors since diagnosed a torn lat muscle, and Bard isn't expected to return this season. At his best, he had a classic college reliever profile and big league bloodlines, so his injury probably will not be a long-term concern.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Like his big league brother Daniel, Bard struggled with a shift from relieving to starting in 2012. While Daniel couldn't find the strike zone, Luke tore a lat muscle on March 31, ending his junior season at Georgia Tech. After signing for $1,227,000 as the 42nd overall pick in the 2012 draft, he pitched seven pro innings before reaggravating the injury in instructional league. Scouting Report: While he doesn't have his brother's easy gas, Bard pitches off his fastball and has above-average velocity. He sat as high as 93-95 mph as a starter in college and touched 97 as a reliever. His slider made significant progress in 2012, showing more consistency, depth and late bite. It's a well above-average pitch when at its best. He flashes an average changeup that needs more consistency. Bard has the clean arm action and sound delivery to become a full-time starter. He'll need to learn to sequence his pitches better and prove he can hold up in that role. The Future: If healthy, Bard will open his first full pro season in the rotation of one of the Twins' Class A affiliates. At best, he'll be a No. 3 starter. At worst, he should be one of the best relievers from the entire 2012 draft class.