Lucas Duda, a left-handed power hitter, spent the majority of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Mets. Born on February 3, 1986, in Fontana, California, Duda attended the University of Southern California, where he played college baseball for the USC Trojans. His performance at USC caught the attention of MLB scouts, leading to his selection by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 2007 MLB Draft.
Duda made his MLB debut with the Mets on September 1, 2010. Initially, he struggled to find his footing in the major leagues, but he gradually adjusted to the level of competition. By 2011, Duda began to show his potential as a power hitter, finishing the season with a .292 batting average and 10 home runs in 100 games. His ability to hit for power became a defining aspect of his career.
The 2014 season marked a breakout year for Duda. He became the Mets' primary first baseman and delivered an impressive performance, hitting 30 home runs and driving in 92 runs. This power surge helped the Mets remain competitive in the National League East. Duda's performance earned him a spot in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break, further highlighting his ability to hit long balls.
In 2015, Duda continued to be a key player for the Mets as they made a push for the postseason. He hit 27 home runs and had 73 RBIs during the regular season. The Mets advanced to the World Series that year, facing the Kansas City Royals. Although the Mets ultimately lost the series, Duda played a crucial role in their playoff run, including a memorable performance in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, where he drove in five runs.
Injuries began to affect Duda's career in the following years. In 2016, he was limited to just 47 games due to a stress fracture in his lower back. Despite these setbacks, he managed to hit seven home runs during his limited time on the field. Duda returned to form in 2017, hitting 17 home runs for the Mets before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in July. He finished the 2017 season with a combined total of 30 home runs between the two teams.
Duda signed with the Kansas City Royals for the 2018 season, where he continued to demonstrate his power-hitting capabilities, albeit with less consistency. He hit 13 home runs and had 48 RBIs in 87 games with the Royals. In August 2018, Duda was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he played a limited role for the remainder of the season.
In 2019, Duda returned to the Royals on a minor league contract and made the team's Opening Day roster. However, his performance declined, and he was released by the Royals in May. Later that year, he signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves but did not make it back to the major leagues.
Throughout his career, Lucas Duda was known for his power at the plate, particularly his ability to hit home runs.
⚾