San Diego Padres: Joey Lucchesi Broken Down By the Numbers

The San Diego Padres’ Joey Lucchesi has looked absolutely dominant every time he has taken the mound. Let’s take a closer look at his statistics.

Numbers don’t lie and stats clearly show why Joey Lucchesi has been by far San Diego Padres’ best pitcher in 2018. In the process, he has made a strong case to be Friars’ starting pitcher, even after Dinelson Lamet returns.

When Lucchesi made his debut on March 30 against the Brewers, he became the first pitcher from 2016 MLB Draft to play in Major League Baseball.  Joey Lucchesi was the 114th pick (fourth round) by the San Diego Padres that June.

Lucchesi was the third pitcher to be drafted by the Friars in the 2016 Draft, behind Cal Quantrill and Eric Lauer. Quantrill and Laurer were both first round picks.

Cal Quantrill, who is currently playing with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, was drafted eighth overall. Eric Lauer, the southpaw, was the 25th pick (compensatory) and is currently pitching in Triple-A El Paso.

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Joey Lucchesi Stats By the Numbers

Lucchesi, who has recorded 16 strikeouts in his first three starts, never once pitched above the Double-A level.

Playing for the San Antonio Missions, Joey pitched in 60.1 innings, yielding a 1.79 earned-run average, striking out 53 batters, walking 14, and conceding only three homers.

His stats after three starts this season in San Diego are 15.2 IP, 1.72 ERA, 2.60 FIP, 2.30 BB/9, 9.19 K/9, .57 HR/9, 25.8 K%.

These are impressive numbers for any hurler, but even more so for a rookie with no Triple-A experience.

Joey’s ERA of 1.72 currently leads the team’s starters. Remember, he was originally plugged in as a last-minute replacement for Lamet. For comparison, the earned-run averages for the Friars’ other starting pitchers are as follows below:

• Clayton Richard – 5.29, 17 IP
• Luis Perdomo – 4.91, 11 IP
• Tyson Ross – 5.25, 12 IP
• Bryan Mitchell – 5.27, 13 2/3 IP

His pitches per inning (P/IP) is 15.2. This should give Andy Green the opportunity to use Lucchesi for at least seven-plus innings in the future. Clayton Kershaw‘s P/IP is 14.7.

Next: Time For Luis Urias to Get a Shot

Joey Lucchesi gives the Padres’ fans hope. Those hopes, of course, being the hopes for a winning season in the very near future. FoB wishes Lucchesi the very best. Let’s go, JOEY LUCCHESI!