Luke French

Lucas Stephen French (born September 13, 1985, in Salina, Kansas) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the eighth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft.

French throws a basic fastball, changeup, curveball combination. He has average velocity and relies on command of his pitches.^[1]

Amateur career

High School

At Heritage High School in Littleton, CO, outside of Denver, he played football, basketball, and baseball. After his freshman year he had to quit football for fall baseball, then basketball after sophomore year to spend more time on baseball. He was a Louisville Slugger Preseason High School All-American selection.

French was selected to play in the inaugural Aflac All-America High School Baseball Classic on August 23, 2003 at Hammond Stadium in Ft. Myers, Florida. He said this about the experience:

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

In 2004 he finished 10th in the Gulf Coast League with a 2.74 ERA. In his final eights outings (seven starts), he posted a 1–2 record with a 1.95 ERA in 37 innings pithed with 35 strikeouts.

French was the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for July 17–23 after tossing a one-hit shutout against the Dayton Dragons on July 21, 2005. He started two games in the Midwest League playoffs, going 0–1 with a 3.18 ERA.

He was selected to the Florida State League midseason All-Star squad. French finished second in the league with 14 losses, tied for second with 27 starts and finished fourth with 149 innings pitched in 2007.

French went 9–11 with a 4.02 ERA in 26 appearances in 2008, including three starts, for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. He led the Eastern League with 170 innings pitched and 195 hits allowed, while he tied for the lead with three complete games, tied for second with 11 losses and tied for fifth with 60 walks allowed.

For the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, French went 4–4 with a 2.98 ERA in 13 games (all starts) before getting called up in 2009.

French was called up to the Tigers on May 14, 2009, when Nate Robertson was placed on the disabled list^[3] and made his major league debut on May 15 in the 9th inning of a 14–1 victory over the Oakland Athletics.^[4] French was optioned to Toledo May 21 after Robertson returned from the disabled list.

His first major league win as a starter was logged July 9 against the Kansas City Royals.^[5]

Seattle Mariners

On July 31, 2009, French and prospect Mauricio Robles were traded to the Seattle Mariners for Jarrod Washburn.^[6]

French grew up a Seattle Mariners fan. Some of his favorite players Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez and Jay Buhner among others. French received an autographed jersey from Griffey when the Mariners played the Tigers in Detroit on July 21. French said this about his love for the Mariners as a child:

On August 13, 2011, French was designated for assignment by the Mariners.^[8]

Minnesota Twins

French signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins on January 27, 2012.

Luke is currently attending Colorado State University where he is working to earn his degree in Construction Management.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)