Brother's Success Drives Lucroy
Baseball runs in the Lucroy family genes. The Umatilla family has three successful sons, two of whom are pursuing their dream of playing baseball. One of the brothers has reached that dream already.
24 year old Jonathan Lucroy is the starting catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Just a few years removed from being a standout in the Florida Collegiate Summer League, Jonathan and his teammates are fighting for supremacy in the NL Central division. Lucroy is batting an impressive .282 in a potent lineup that includes perennial all-stars Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks.
Jonathan’s younger brother David is a pitcher for the Leesburg Lightning and at 18, is spending his final summer before college playing top level baseball against other prominent college players. Lucroy and Freedom pitcher Garrett Nuss are the only two high school players in the League and their play thus far had justified their spots on their respective teams’ rosters.
“Seeing him have success really drove me to want to do that with my life,” said David of his brother Jonathan.
In June, David was drafted in the 29th round, coincidentally by his older brother’s team, the Brewers. “Exciting” was the word Lucroy used to describe getting that phone call. He said he was honestly surprised that of all the teams, it was a Milwaukee area code that popped up on his phone that day.
Despite the honor of being drafted, Lucroy will attend East Carolina University in the fall. “You know when you go to a place and you know it’s just right for you? That’s what I had there,” said Lucroy who also acknowledged the coaching staff having a lot to do with his decision. “I’m absolutely looking forward to it.”
Lucroy was 10-5 in his high school career with 84 strikeous. He also went 6-1 with a 2.62 ERA in an East Coast Professional Showcase. In eight appearances this season for the Lightning, Lucroy has an impressive 2.63 ERA over 13.2 innings pitched. He has a 1-1 record with 14 strikeouts in that span.
He hasn’t performed the way he knows he can but says that he’s starting to come around and his last few outings are proof of that. In his last appearance on Tuesday night he struck out the side on 12 pitches, blowing away all three hitters with hard heat.
David explained how if he’s having any pitching troubles, he’ll shoot his brother a text message asking him with help on a certain pitch. Can’t think of anyone better to ask then the signal caller for a team that boasts 2009 AL Cy Young Award Winner Zach Greinke as well as Shaun Marcum and newcomer Francisco Rodriguez.
With his team currently in first place in the Florida League, Lucroy has enjoyed pitching in front of the Leesburg faithful. “They all love us here, it’s pretty cool,” said David who confessed that he’s never played in front of such loyal fans.
Lucroy also explained how the Lightning Coaching staff has everything to do with their performance. “The (Coaches) are serious about the game, but me and the other guys have a good time around them.”
While both brothers teams are fighting for playoff contention, only one’s highlights will be on SportsCenter in the morning. But David hopes to be where his brother is at one day and he seems to be on the right path.
David looks to have a great head on his shoulders and the determined attitude you need on the mound. Time will tell what happens for this local prospect, but if and when he makes it, he’ll remember how he got there: With some hometown support and some brotherly love.
By: Nick Beardi (Medaille College)