Cory Luebke

Cory Luebke
Luebke with the Fort Wayne Wizards
Pitcher
Born:(1985-03-04)March 4, 1985 Coldwater, Ohio,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Left
MLB debut
September 3, 2010, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
June 17, 2016, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	10–13
Earned run average	3.52
Strikeouts	204
Teams
San Diego Padres(2010–2012) Pittsburgh Pirates(2016)
Medals Men’sbaseball RepresentingUnited States Baseball World Cup 2009 Nettuno National team

Cory Robert Luebke(born March 4, 1985) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theSan Diego PadresandPittsburgh Pirates.

Amateur career

A native ofMaria Stein, Ohio,Luebke attendedMarion Local High SchoolandOhio State University.In 2006, he playedcollegiate summer baseballwith theFalmouth Commodoresof theCape Cod Baseball League.He was selected by the Padres in the first round of the2007 Major League Baseball draft.

Professional career

San Diego Padres

Minor leagues

Luebke spent his first professional season, 2007 at three different levels of theSan Diego Padres' organization. He started with the Low–AEugene Emeraldsof theNorthwest League.He went 3–0 with 26 strikeouts and a 1.46 ERA in eight games, three starts. He was soon promoted to the Single–AFort Wayne Wizardsof theMidwest League,where he went 1–2 with 30 strikeouts and a 3.33 ERA in five games, all starts. He was then promoted again to the High–ALake Elsinore Stormof theCalifornia League,where he went 1–1 with fivestrikeoutsand a 7.71ERAin two games, one start. Luebke went a combined 5–3 with 61 strikeouts and a 3.07 ERA in 582⁄3innings pitched.

In 2008, Luebke started the season with High–A Lake Elsinore, but was later sent down to Single–A Fort Wayne. With Lake Elsinore he went 3–6 with a 6.84 ERA in 17 games, 15 starts. During his time with Fort Wayne, Luebke went 3–3 with 40 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA in 10 games, all starts. Luebke went a combined 6–9 with 100 strikeouts with a 5.12 ERA in 1281⁄3innings pitched.

Luebke split the 2009 season with High–A Lake Elsinore and the Double-ASan Antonio Missions.He began the season with Lake Elsinore for the second consecutive season. He went 8–2 with 80 strikeouts and a 2.34 ERA in 14 games, all starts. He was then promoted to the Missions where he went 3–2 with a 3.70 ERA in nine games, all starts. Luebke went a combined 11–4 with 112 strikeouts and a 2.78 ERA in 1292⁄3innings pitched. Luebke attributed his success in '09 to working out kinks in his delivery.He was named the number 12 prospect in theTexas LeaguebyBaseball America.Luebke pitched forTeam USAin the2009 Baseball World Cup.He threw a near perfect game againstTeam Canada.He started the championship game, striking out seven and pitching 41⁄3innings.

On July 11, 2010, Luebke was promoted to the Triple-A []Portland Beavers]] of the Pacific Coast League. While with San Antonio, Luebke went 5–1 with a 2.40 ERA and a WHIP of 0.94.He made 9 starts with Portland, going 5–0 with a 2.97 ERA.

Major leagues

Luebke was promoted to the Padres on September 1, 2010 and made his first major league start on September 3, where he got his first loss, pitching 5 innings and giving up four runs. He earned his first career win in his next start, throwing 6 innings and only giving up 2 hits and 1 walk.

Luebke started 2011 in the Padres bullpen. He pitched in 29 games in relief, posting a 3.23 ERA in 39 innings with 43 strike-outs against 15 walks. On June 26, Luebke was promoted to the Padres starting rotation. He started 17 games, going 8–9 with a 3.31 ERA. Over 1002⁄3innings as a starter, he struck out 111 batters and walked 29, holding opposing hitters to a.218 batting average. His success in 2011 raised his profile to that of a front-of-the-rotation starter.

On March 30, 2012, Luebke agreed to a four-year extension with the Padres worth a guaranteed $12 million that includes 2 club options for 2016 and 2017. He received a $500,000 bonus for the deal. He earned $0.5 million in 2012, $1 million in 2013, $3 million in 2014 and $5.25 million in 2015. His 2016 option was worth $7.5 million and had a $1.75 millionbuyout,and his 2017 option was worth $10 million with a $250,000 buyout. Luebke could have earned up to $27.75 million.

Luebke opened 2012 in the Padres starting rotation and made five starts, going 3–1 with a 2.61 ERA, before being removed from the rotation with elbow tightness and soreness.On May 23, 2012, Cory Luebke underwentTommy John surgeryto repair a partial tear of theulnar collateral ligament(UCL) in his left elbow, causing him to miss the rest of the 2012 season. Rehabilitation from Tommy John for pitchers usually ranged from 12 to 18 months.Luebke was expected to pitch after theAll-Star breakin 2013, but he was shut down in September after more than three bullpen sessions.He began throwing again in November. By late December, the team was considering him as a reliever for Opening Day in 2014.

On February 4, 2014, it was announced that Luebke had a tear in hisUCLand would need a second reconstructive surgery on his elbow and miss the 2014 season.He became a free agent following the 2015 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On February 11, 2016, thePittsburgh Piratessigned Luebke to a minor league contract.He had his contract selected to the major league roster on April 3. He wasdesignated for assignmenton June 18, after struggling to a 9.35 ERA in 9 games. On June 26, he cleared waivers and was released.

Miami Marlins

On July 7, 2016, Luebke signed a minor league contract with theMiami Marlinsorganization.He made four scoreless appearances split between the High–AJupiter Hammerheads,Double–AJacksonville Suns,and Triple–ANew Orleans Zephyrs.Luebke elected free agency following the season on November 7.

Chicago White Sox

On January 17, 2017, Luebke signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox.Luebke retired from baseball on May 8, after two appearances for the Triple–ACharlotte Knights.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)