MWL1 Dayton Dragons

Dragon in the Majors #58: Donald Lutz

Published on January 9, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Donald Lutz was born in Watertown, New York in 1989 but grew up in Germany. After a sparkling season with the Dayton Dragons, he became the first German-raised player to play in the Major Leagues when he debuted on April 29, 2013,

Lutz's parents met in his mother's native Germany where his father was stationed in the U.S. Army. The couple married and moved to New York but divorced while Donald was still a baby. Before he reached his first birthday, Donald moved to Friedberg, Germany with his mother and two siblings. Donald was a teenager before he began playing baseball, and since there were no televised games available in Germany, he familiarized himself with the sport by watching videos on the official Major League Baseball website, mlb.com. Eventually, he earned a spot on the German national baseball team and in 2007, at the age of 18, he signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds after being scouted in a European showcase event in Italy.

Lutz's breakout season as a prospect came with the Dragons in 2011. The 250-pound first baseman/outfielder emerged as one of the Midwest League's most dangerous hitters, and turned in one of the finest offensive seasons in Dragons history. He became just the second Dragons player (and the first since Austin Kearns in 2000) to hit at least .300 and belt at least 20 home runs. Lutz was the big bat in a Dragons lineup that set the franchise record for highest team batting average and posted a club record 83 wins against only 57 losses.

Lutz's finest moment with the Dragons came on July 21, 2011 when became the first (and still, the only) Dragons player to hit for the cycle. Ironically, Lutz accomplished one of baseball's most rare feats in reverse order. In his first four plate appearances, he hit a home run, triple, double, and single. Officially, he managed to hit for the cycle that night by the end of the fifth inning in a 13-0 Dragons win over Peoria!

Also in Dayton, Lutz enjoyed an opportunity to reunite with his father, whom he had not seen since he moved to Germany as a baby. It was a special year for the big-hearted slugger who was among the club's most well-liked players with his teammates because of his friendly personality and fun-loving nature.

Lutz moved up to Bakersfield in 2012 and finished the season with Double-A Pensacola. Overall, he connected on 22 home runs while batting .269. The season was good enough to earn Lutz a spot on the Reds 40-man roster, and in late April, 2013, he was promoted to the Major Leagues.

Lutz made his big league debut for the Reds on April 29 against the Cardinals, and got his first start two days later. On May 5, he collected his first Major League hit and run batted in vs. the Cubs as he started a six-game hitting streak. On May 12 against Milwaukee at Great American Ball Park, Lutz drilled his first big league home run, a three-run shot in the second inning off Wily Peralta that keyed the Reds 5-1 win.

Lutz stayed with the Reds until late-June, batting a respectable .241 as a National League rookie. He finished the year back with Pensacola. Heading into 2014, Lutz remains on the Reds 40-man roster and will be a candidate to make the club out of spring training.

Donald Lutz was the 58th Dragons player to reach the Major Leagues. Considering the fact that he did not pick up a baseball until the age when most kids are starting high school, his journey is one of the most unique.

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Midwest League Stories from January 9, 2014


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