Lucas Duda

Lucas Christopher Duda (born February 3, 1986) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2010 to 2019 for the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, and Kansas City Royals. He was the starting first baseman for the 2015 Mets team that won the National League pennant, and led the team in games played during the 2010s.

Prior to playing professionally, Duda attended the University of Southern California (USC) and played college baseball for the USC Trojans.

Early life Duda was born in Fontana, California, on February 3, 1986, to David and Eleanor Duda. He attended Arlington High School in Riverside, California. Duda then enrolled in the University of Southern California (USC),

Professional career New York Mets Minor leagues

Duda was selected by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, as the 243rd overall selection.

Duda began the 2010 season continuing to play for the Double–A Binghamton Mets, and was promoted to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons on June 14. While in Buffalo, Duda homered in five consecutive games, tying a Bisons record.

Major leagues 2010

On August 31, 2010, the Mets announced that Duda would be added to the major league roster as part of their September call-ups. Duda made his major league debut on September 1, against the Atlanta Braves, facing starting pitcher Tommy Hanson, whom he played against in high school. Former Mets manager Jerry Manuel watched Duda during batting practice when he was first called up to the Majors and noted that Duda reminded him of Magglio Ordóñez or Moisés Alou.

With Ike Davis starting at first base, Duda's primary position in the minor leagues, all of Duda's playing time came in left field. He batted .202 for the year. The Mets named Duda their Sterling Organizational Player of the Year in 2010.

2011 On April 10, 2011, Duda was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. On August 8, batting in the cleanup spot for the first time in his major league career, Duda picked up his first major-league walk-off hit, with a two-run single off of San Diego Padres closer and former Mets reliever Heath Bell. He batted .292 for the season. The sub par batting performance coupled with poor fielding prompted his being demoted to Triple-A Buffalo. He batted .239 for the season.

2013 On June 23, 2013, Duda was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle between his ribs. Following a rehabilitation stint, Duda was activated and then immediately optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. He was recalled on August 24. He batted .223 for the season. On April 18, after a positional battle which lasted several seasons and a struggle with valley fever, Davis was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Zack Thornton and a player to be named later, later revealed to be Blake Taylor. This was done in order to make room for Duda as the starting first baseman.

On August 1, Duda hit his 20th home run of the season against San Francisco Giants' pitcher Ryan Vogelsong. Duda had never reached the 20 home run mark before the 2014 season. On September 28, he hit his career high 30th home run of the season. That home run put him at 92 runs batted in, another career high. Duda finished the year leading the Mets in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and total bases, his first time doing so any of those categories.

In November, Duda represented in the 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series. He went 4-for-10 with two walks in the exhibition series.

2015

On July 29, 2015, during a 7–3 loss to the San Diego Padres, Duda became the eleventh Mets player to hit three home runs in a single game, and only the second Met to do so at home after Kirk Nieuwenhuis had accomplished the feat less than a month before. Duda set a Mets franchise record on August 1 when eight of his consecutive hits came in the form of home runs; he and teammate Noah Syndergaard were named National League Co-Players of the Week for the week ending on August 2. On September 26, Duda hit his first career grand slam in the Mets' 10–2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. That victory clinched the NL East division title for the Mets. On the final day of the season, Duda was hit by a pitch from Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark, giving him 14 total HBP on the season and breaking the Mets single season record, previously shared by John Olerud and Ron Hunt. For the season, he had the highest fly ball percentage (50.6%), and the lowest ground ball percentage (27.4%), of all major league hitters.

In the fourth game of the 2015 NLCS, Duda batted in five runs to help the Mets sweep the Chicago Cubs and advance to the 2015 World Series. His five RBI was tied for the most by a Mets player in a single postseason game, a feat previously accomplished by Curtis Granderson in the 2015 NLDS, Carlos Delgado in the 2006 NLCS, Edgardo Alfonzo in the 1999 NLCS and Rusty Staub in the 1973 World Series.

Duda's errant throw to home came in the 9th inning of Game 5, with 2 outs and the Mets leading 2–1. It allowed Eric Hosmer to score the tying run, and cost the Mets the game when the Kansas City Royals won in 12 innings, completing their World Series championship. Duda ultimately went 5-for-19 with no extra-base hits, two walks and seven strikeouts in the series.

2016 On January 12, 2016, the Mets re-signed Duda to a one-year contract. On May 23, the Mets placed Duda on the 15-day DL with a stress fracture in his lower back. He was replaced on the roster by Ty Kelly. Duda was batting .231 with a .297 OBP.431 SLG, 7 home runs, and 19 RBIs in 39 games.

2017 On April 3, 2017, Duda was the starting first baseman for Opening Day, going 1–3, logging one walk, one strikeout and hitting a three-run double in the bottom of the 7th off Eric O'Flaherty against the Atlanta Braves. On April 21, the Mets placed Duda on the 10-day DL, two days after he suffered a hyperextended left elbow in a collision at first base with Philadelphia Phillies baserunner César Hernández. Through 75 games, Duda hit .246 with 17 home runs and 37 runs batted in.

Tampa Bay Rays On July 27, 2017, the Mets traded Duda to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league pitcher Drew Smith. Duda batted .175 for Tampa Bay. He became a free agent after the season.

Kansas City Royals Duda signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals on February 28, 2018. In his first at-bat as a Royal, he hit a three-run home run on Opening Day in the first inning against James Shields. Duda was the Royals' designated hitter for the first half of the season, hitting .242 with 13 home runs and 48 runs batted in.

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves acquired Duda and cash considerations from the Royals in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations on August 28, 2018.

Kansas City Royals (second stint) On February 9, 2019, Duda signed a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins that included an invitation to spring training. Duda was released by the Twins prior to the start of the season on March 20.

On March 22, 2019, Duda signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. He was placed on the injured list on April 26 with a lumbar strain injury. Duda was designated for assignment on July 27, after hitting .171 in 119 plate appearances. He was then released outright on the next day.

Atlanta Braves (second stint) On August 5, 2019, Duda signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. In 16 games for the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers, he slashed .140/.235/.211 with one home run and five RBI. Duda was released by the Braves organization on August 27.

Coaching career On October 4, 2024, Duda was hired to serve as the hitting coach at Lipscomb University.