Random Ray of the Day: Lucas Duda

Lucas Duda came to the Rays at the 2017 trade deadline as the team looked to bolster their offensive production.

Prior to joining the Rays, Duda had been a longtime member of the New York Mets. He was drafted by New York in the seventh round of the 2007 draft and would consistently put up stellar offensive numbers in the minor leagues and was routinely ranked among the Mets’ top 30 prospects until eventually making his Major League debut during the 2010 campaign.

Duda spent seven and half seasons with New York, hitting .246/.343/.457 over 760 games played.

On July 27, 2017 the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Duda from the New York Mets and immediately inserted him into their lineup the following day. Duda made his presence known in the Rays lineup as he launched home runs in three of his first four games with the team. Unfortunately, Duda’s production plummeted with the onset of August, although he did add 10 more home runs, Duda hit just .164 over his final 183 plate appearances in a Rays uniform.

Following the season, Duda became a free agent following the season and would eventually sign with the Kansas City Royals. In August, the Royals sent Duda to the Atlanta Braves as a waiver trade. Duda rejoined the Royals for the 2019 season, but ended up being released and then rejoining the Atlanta Braves, but would not play in the Majors for them.

He is currently unsigned as of March, 2020.