NEW YORK, NY — Over the weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins completed an in-division trade, which sent the 2023 National League LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year, Jesús Luzardo, to Philadelphia.
Luzardo, 27, born in Peru, of Peruvian and Venezuelan family descent, pitched for Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Miami, and enjoyed his tenure as a Marlin (2021-2024) — growing up in South Florida after his family relocated from Peru when he was two-years-old.
Latino Sports’ German DuBois III with Jesús Luzardo during Jesús’ special LatinoMVP award ceremony this past September at loanDepot Park (WATCH HERE) – Image Credit: Latino Sports
The six-year veteran, known as the “Lizard King” made his MLB debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2019 and was traded to the Marlins at the trade deadline in 2021. Last season, following his 2023 LatinoMVP award winning campaign, Luzardo struggled with various injuries and only made 12 starts, which consisted of 66 innings and 58 strikeouts.
His career numbers are 512 innings, 559 strikeouts, and an ERA of 4.29, while his career FIP of 3.97 shows there can be some positive progression with better defense behind him.
Jesús Luzardo is the first-ever Peruvian-born player to appear in MLB – Image Credit: MLB
Philadelphia, also acquiring minor league catcher Paul McIntosh in the trade, had their end of the deal feature Dominican shortstop Starlyn Caba and prospect outfielder Emaarion Boyd going to Miami.
Caba, 19, a switch hitter, who stole 50 bases between both levels last season, was the Phillies’ fourth-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline and is 81st in their top 100 prospects. He reached the Phillies Low-A affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers, last season and played in their Florida Complex team — signing for $3 million in the Phillies international free agent class in 2023.
Phillies’ Projected 2025 Starting Rotation
- Zack Wheeler, RHP
- Aaron Nola, RHP
- Cristopher Sánchez, LHP
- Ranger Suárez, LHP
- Jesús Luzardo, LHP
Jesús Luzardo, recipient of 2023 National League LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year award, and first-ever Peruvian to win a LatinoMVP award, with his LatinoMVP shirt – Image Credit: Latino Sports
Luzardo’s arsenal consists of a fastball, slider, sinker, changeup, and curveball that he’ll deploy once in a blue moon. His fastball averages a tick over 95 mph, and his slider (83.5 mph) has generated the most strikeouts for him in the past few seasons.
In the grand scheme of the acquisition, Luzardo could push the Phillies rotation over the top if he stays healthy, as this is Philadelphia’s best effort to combat their division rival New York Mets with the signing of Dominican superstar Juan Soto.
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