Lucas French CAREER TRACKER

Height: 6’4 Weight: 220
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Born: September 13, 1985 (23) in Salina, KS
Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 8th round of the 2004 draft
Full name: Lucas William French

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS
Attended Heritage High School in
Colorado ...selected to play in the inaugural AFLAC All-America High
School Baseball Classic on August 23, 2003 at Hammond Stadium in Ft.
Myers, FL ...signed by Brian Reid ...resides in Littleton, CO

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Originally selected by Detroit in the 8th round of the 2004 draft.

CAREER

2005: Made his season debut on June 24 with the Gulf Coast
Tigers after extended Spring Training ...made four starts with Single-A
Lakeland in July, going 3-1 ...made six starts with Single-A West
Michigan in August, going 1-2...struck out a season-high seven batters
on August 15 at Kane County.
2004: Began his pro career with the
Gulf Coast Tigers, going 1-3 in 11 games (10 starts) from June
24-August 24...struck out a season-high nine batters on July 26 at GCL
Phillies - was his first pro win...allowed just 1 HR in 49.1 innings
...finished 10th in the Gulf Coast League in ERA (2.74)

2006: Spent the entire season with Single-A West Michigan in the
Midwest League, going 11-8 with a 3.72 ERA (65 ER/157.1 IP) in 26
starts...struck out a season-high seven batters three times ...won four
of his first six starts on the year...named MWL Pitcher of the Week
July 17-23 after throwing a one-hit shutout vs. Dayton on July 21
...started two games in the post-season, going 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA (4
ER/11.1 IP).

2007: Spent the season with Single-A Lakeland...struck out a season-high nine batters on May 9 at Daytona...selected to the Florida State League’s mid-season all-star squad ... longest outing was 8.0 innings on May 25 vs. Palm Beach...was 0-7 in his final eight starts ...finished 4th in the FSL in innings pitched (149.0)and 2nd in starts (27)

2008 SEASON
Spent the year with Double-A Erie in the Eastern
League, going 9-11 with a 4.02 ERA (76 ER/170.0 IP) in 27 games (26
starts)...struck out a season-high eight batters on August 5 vs.
Harrisburg...threw three complete games on the season (two were 7.0
innings)...went 4-0 in his final five starts of the year...was 5-5 with
a 5.38 ERA at home and 4-6 with a 2.81 ERA on the road...established a
career-high in innings pitched (170.0).

Postgame roster move
BECK'S BLOG

The Tigers optioned left-hander Luke French back to Triple-A Toledo after the game tonight so that they can activate Nate Robertson from the 15-day disabled list in time for Thursday's game.

That's likely to be the only roster move made in time for Thursday's game. Manager Jim Leyland said he does not expect Magglio Ordonez to be back in time for the game, so he'll likely remain on the family medical emergency list.

* Posted on May 20, 2009 at 10:33 PM

6/22/2009

Lucas French Named IL Pitcher of the Week!

Left-hander Lucas French displayed dominating stuff in two starts last week, but surprisingly has only a 0-1 record to show for it. He far and away led the International League with 16.0 innings pitched (next highest was 13.1) and 18 strikeouts (next highest was 12). Last Monday on the road against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, French was credited with a complete game despite losing 1-0 to the IL North leaders. He allowed just one run on seven hits and one walk in 8.0 innings and matched his season high with 8 strikeouts, but his teammates mustered only two hits against three Yankee hurlers.

Yesterday afternoon at Rochester, French was even better. Pitching in the second game of a doubleheader, he limited the Red Wings to one run on four hits while issuing no walks and striking out 10, a new season-high. Once again French threw 8.0 strong innings (in a game originally scheduled for 7 frames), but he left with the score tied 1-1 and did not factor in the decision. French is now 4-4 on the year, though his 3.01 ERA and .240 opponent’s batting average suggest he has been better than his record indicates.

23-year-old Lucas French is in his first season playing above the Double-A level. Last year with Erie he went 9-11 with a 4.02 ERA in 27 games. This May he made his Major League debut for the Tigers, appearing in two games as a reliever. He did not allow a run in 3.0 innings. French is a native of Salina, Kansas.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Figaro sent down, French to start Friday
BECK'S BLOG

We have a rotation switch: Alfredo Figaro was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo after the game, and Luke French is coming back up. He'll join the Tigers in Oakland, work briefly out of the bullpen there and then start Friday's series opener at Minnesota.

"We just felt like giving French a shot against them," manager Jim Leyland said.

The move seemed to have less to do with Figaro's performance in Houston Saturday, though that certainly didn't help, and a little more to do with the matchup. Adding French gives the Tigers a left-handed starter to put up against Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, though Leyland didn't really want to talk about that.

French has been on an absolute tear recently, basically for the last month. He has given up four earned runs on 16 hits with 26 strikeouts over 23 innings in his last three starts, though he hasn't won any of them. Further back than that, he has lasted at least 6 2/3 innings with two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts, bringing down his ERA for the year to 2.98.

Posted on June 28, 2009 at 5:28 PM

Lefty Luke French gets shot in rotation against Minnesota tonight

BY JOHN LOWE • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • July 3, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS -- Given the slew of quality left-handed hitters in the majors, it's usually a good idea for a big-league team to have at least one left-hander in its starting rotation. Tonight, Luke French begins to have a chance to fill that job for the Tigers.

French makes his first big-league start when he faces the Twins in Minnesota. It will be the third big-league appearance for French, 23. He had two scoreless relief outings for the Tigers in May.

It will be only the eighth start by a Tigers left-hander this season. Dontrelle Willis made the first seven. He's on the disabled list indefinitely because of an anxiety disorder.

French has been a starter throughout his five years in the Tigers' farm system, and he prefers that role to relieving. He likes the routine of pitching once every five days. His repertoire: fastball, slider and change-up.

French described how he'll prepare for the Twins.

"I'll get together with the coaches and the catchers -- they know more about that (pitching to the Twins) than I do," French said. "I'm going to take in what they say and make my game plan. I'd also like to study some video of their hitters."

Twins closer Joe Nathan has never blown a save against the Tigers. He's making a run at Lee Smith's record for being perfect in career save chances against one team.

Nathan is 27-for-27 lifetime in saves against the Tigers. Smith went 37-for-37 lifetime in saves against the Montreal Expos. According to STATS LLC, if Nathan retired right now, he'd have the second-most saves against one team without a blown save.

Could the looming presence of such a terrific closer influence Jim Leyland's managing before the ninth inning? Might he push harder to tie a game before the ninth than he might otherwise?

"It does change things," Leyland said. "You try to get the game at least tied by the eighth because you know if you don't, you're probably in trouble."

... CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE.

Contact JOHN LOWE: 313-223-4053 or jlowe@freepress.com. .

Saturday, July 11, 2009
Tom Gage
Tigers might have new Rogers

One is 23 years old and just beginning his major league career.

The other is 44 and just ended his.

We never got official word Kenny Rogers retired. He just doesn't pitch anymore. But when he pitched, not only did he do more than his share of winning, he was a rotation's dream as an alternative.

Stick him between two hard throwers and watch the hitters struggle for their timing.

Now back to the 23-year-old, who happens to be left-hander Luke French -- who happened to win his first major league game Wednesday against the Royals at Comerica Park -- and he doesn't throw hard.

That's not to say French throws as softly at the beginning of his career as Rogers did at the end. But he's not a flame-thrower.

And that's the point as the Tigers move into the second half of the season with French as part of their rotation in a pennant race. And yes, it becomes a pennant race next Friday when Detroit's season resumes in New York after the All-Star break.

New arm helps

So far, it has been a good first half. A hopeful first half. A half which will leave fans wondering if the Tigers can keep it going.

Actual contention begins in the second half, however. It's meant for August and September, not May and June.

Into their intention of contention, however, the Tigers take these starters: Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson, known commodities; Armando Galarraga, showing signs of returning to last year's effectiveness; rookie Rick Porcello, needing the mid-summer breather he's now getting, but coming off a fine first half.

And French, who's new to practically everyone.

Can the Tigers keep a second rookie in their rotation? Can French continue to pitch presentably? And where in the 1-5 order of the rotation is the best place for him to pitch?

On Wednesday, after French beat the Royals, manager Jim Leyland said this about any team facing a pitcher for the first time, as the Royals did with French:

Newness is a "huge factor."

"There were definitely a couple of times, because of the fact they hadn't seen him, that he got by with a couple of pitches he might not get by with next time," he said. "But I was really pleased with him.

"I have a lot of confidence in (Toledo manager) Larry Parrish and he really likes him. Yeah, he got away with a couple, but that's OK. Next time he might not throw (those) pitches."

The advantage for a pitcher facing a team for the first time?

"Hitters just aren't sure of the tilt on a breaking ball, the speed of a change-up or movement on a fastball," Leyland said.

Nice contrast

So there's no outward sign of trepidation in going forward.

And as for where to use French, pitching after the hard-throwing Verlander, as Rogers did in 2006, might be advisable. That's not to say French will enjoy the same success as Rogers, but his style of throwing presents the same contrast.

Isn't that right, Mark Teahen?

"He was all right, but we didn't help ourselves at all," the Royals third baseman said of French. "I think he benefited from throwing right after Verlander because everybody is jumping at the ball, and he's throwing off-speed stuff."

Just like you, Kenny.

And by the way, you are retired, aren't you?

tom.gage@detnews.com

Playing for Mariners a dream for French
Recently acquired left-hander grows up following Seattle

By Jim Street / MLB.com

08/02/09 7:50 PM ET

ARLINGTON -- When he walked into the hotel room occupied by the Tigers' general manager on Friday morning, right-hander Lucas French knew something was up.

But he didn't know the news he was about to get would take him back in time.

"When I was in the fifth grade," the Colorado native said, "I made a time line about where you want to be in the future and it was on my time line that I wanted to play for the Mariners. So this is pretty cool. The Mariners were my favorite team."

That was back in the mid-90s, when the Mariners had such French favorites as Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson and Jay Buhner, among others.

"I was a big fan of theirs," French said.

And, as little kids do, French had big hopes. He put those hopes down on paper.

Those hopes became reality on Friday, when French -- along with 20-year-old left-hander Mauricio Robles -- was traded to the Mariners for veteran left-hander Jarrod Washburn.

"When the Tigers told me I'd been traded to Seattle, my first thought was, 'Awesome!'" he said.

He couldn't remember the exact date he put on his time line for when he would actually play for the Mariners, but he probably didn't miss by much.

His Mariners debut comes on Wednesday night against the Royals in Kansas City.

French received an autographed jersey from Griffey last month when the Mariners played the Tigers in Detroit, and on Saturday received a typical Griffey "welcome" to the Mariners.

"Mike Sweeney and I were talking when he walked up and stood there near us," Griffey said. "We knew he wanted to introduce himself, so when we were done talking, both of us turned and started to walk away.

"Luke had his hand out and he just stared. Then I turned around and said, 'I'm just messin' with you."

Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Left-handed pitcher Luke French joins Mariners in Texas


Left-hander acquired from Detroit Friday reports to club; will join rotation

Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today that left-handed pitcher Luke French has reported to the club. To make room on the Mariners Major League, 25-man roster, first baseman Chris Shelton has been designated for assignment.
French will wear #25 for the Mariners.

French, 23, split the 2009 season between AAA Toledo and Detroit. With the Tigers, he is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 7 games, 5 starts. In 29.1 big league innings, he's allowed 11 earned runs, walked 11 and struck out 19. He started against Seattle on July 23, allowing 2 earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched. In 13 starts with Toledo, French posted a 4-4 record with an impressive 2.98 ERA (27 ER, 81.2 IP). He walked only 20 while striking out 72 in 81.2 innings pitched with the Mud Hens.

French, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-hander was selected by the Tigers in the 8th round of the 2004 June draft. He led the Eastern League in innings pitched in 2008, and was a Florida State League All-Star in 2007. He graduated from Heritage High School in Colorado.

Shelton, 29, appeared in 9 games since being recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on July 9 and was hitting .231 (6x26) with a run, 2 doubles and 4 RBI. In Tacoma he was hitting .319 (96-for-301) with 23 doubles, 1 triple, 12 home runs and 64 RBI in 76 games this season. Shelton has spent parts of four seasons in the Majors with Detroit (2004-2006), Texas (2008) and the Mariners.

Seattle now has 10 days to trade, release or outright Shelton to the minors.

French lesson: Luke schools O's with gem

By Jim Street / MLB.com

08/17/10 9:48 PM ET

Box >

BALTIMORE -- Mariners left-hander Luke French, making his fifth big league start of the season, had a half-game flirtation with a no-hitter on Tuesday night.

He held the Orioles to a pair of leadoff walks through the first 5 1/3 innings before Josh Bell, the ninth-place hitter, drilled a sharp single into left field to end the no-hit bid.

French also issued a walk in the inning, but kept his shutout intact and ended with his second victory, a 4-0, decision at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Seattle's win was secured in the ninth inning, when Matt Tuiasosopo hit a three-run home run. He also drove in the Mariners' first run, in the fourth inning.

Adam Moore reached on a leadoff single and scored on Tuiasosopo's double into the left-center-field gap. Tuiasosopo was a last-minute starter, replacing Ryan Langerhans in left field.

That's what French gave the Orioles hitters.

The closest French came to surrendering a hit prior to Bell's single was on a grounder that Adam Jones hit down the third-base line leading off the fifth frame. Jose Lopez backhanded the ball behind the bag and made a strong throw to first base, beating Jones by about a step.

The inning ended with Ichiro Suzuki going to the wall in right field to catch a ball hit by Matt Wieters.

The only blemishes French had during the first five innings were leadoff walks to Luke Scott in the second inning and Nick Markakis in the fourth. Scott was stranded on first base and Markakis was erased on a double play.

There have been five no-hitters in the Major Leagues this season, the most recent by Rays right-hander Matt Garza, who tossed a no-no against the Tigers on July 26.

Athletics right-hander Dallas Braden pitched a perfect game against the Rays on May 9 in Oakland; Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez no hit the Braves on April 17; Roy Halladay tossed a perfect game against the Marlins on May 29 and right-hander Edwin Jackson, while with the Diamondbacks, no-hit the Rays on June 26.

Jones, who helped beat his former team with his brains in Monday night's series opener, laying down a walk-off bunt single in the 11th inning, used his glove to prevent the Mariners from scoring a run in Tuesday night's game.

Jones, shading Ichiro to left field, sprinted to the right field side of center field to catch a ball that appeared destined to become a run-scoring double. Josh Wilson, aboard on a one-out walk, was around second base when Jones reached out and caught the ball on the run.

By the time he pulled up, turned and threw the ball back to first base, Wilson had just enough time to get back to the bag safely. But the shortstop became the 827th runner stranded this season as second baseman Chone Figgins took a called third strike.

Former Mariners GM Bill Bavasi traded Jones, the Mariners' first-round Draft choice in 2003, and four others to the Orioles for left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard prior to the 2009 season, a swap that still ranks among the least successful in franchise history.

Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.