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Jun 04, 2012 - Jun 06, 2012     
TBD - ,
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 182   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle
(5/29/12): Bard was in the process of successfully transitioning from the Georgia Tech closer’s job to a starting role, when he abruptly left a March 31 game with what was determined to be a strained lat muscle. He had not returned by the time Georgia Tech, as a No. 8 seed, unexpectedly won the Atlantic Coast Conference post-season tournament, and it was anticipated that he would be sidelined for as long as eight weeks—or pretty much until the June 4-6 draft itself. The timing of Bard’s injury couldn’t have been worse as the 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander was just beginning to generate serious first-round talk with his easy arm action and a fastball that was frequently peaking between 95-97 mph. His 80-mph slider was a solid second pitch, though lacked consistency. In 11 appearances (3 starts) this spring for the Yellow Jackets, Bard was 1-0, 0.99 with two saves. He had walked six while striking out 26 in 27 innings. Bard is the younger brother of Boston Red Sox righthander Daniel Bard, and scouts have long felt that Bard had the potential to grow into an elite power arm in much the same way as his brother, who was also something of a late developer in his college career at North Carolina before being drafted in the first round by the Red Sox in 2006. Coincidentally, the elder Bard has been jockeyed back and forth between a starter, set-up and closer role in his time in Boston, and Luke has gone through much the same changes in his role on the Georgia Tech staff over a three-year period. After being drafted in the 16th round in 2009 out of a Charlotte high school, also by the Red Sox, he was used pretty much as a set-up man as a college freshman (0-0, 7.43, 19 G/2 SV). He was installed as Georgia Tech’s closer as a sophomore (2-2, 2.72, 25 G/8 SV), and began this season in the same closer role, only to be converted to a starter after eight relief appearances. Like his older brother, Bard has excellent arm strength with a promising, although inconsistent, breaking ball. His fastball, normally 93-95 mph, is not as explosive as his brother’s which is typically in the mid-to high-90s and has even peaked at 100. His slider is also a power pitch with quality depth and late, biting action. When injuries and ineffective performance by some of the younger pitchers on an inexperienced Georgia Tech staff led to Bard being bumped up to a starting role this spring, he was generally effective, even with just two pitches. But to continue in a starting role at the next level, it is imperative that he develops a changeup, or a pitch that offers more of a contrast to his big fastball. While Bard’s potential season-ending injury would normally be cause for serious debate in draft rooms of most major-league clubs, his profile as an established college reliever with big-league bloodlines should weigh in his favor, and his injury may only marginally impact his draft status.




Jun 30, 2009 - Jul 06, 2009   South Charlotte Panthers 2009  24
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 182   R/R
FB
90
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
86-88
CB
73
SL
CH
73
Split
Knuckle




Oct 23, 2008 - Oct 27, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers  24
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 182   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 08, 2008 - Jul 14, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers 2010  24
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 182   R/R
FB
88
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
85-88
CB
75
SL
77
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 01, 2008 - Jul 07, 2008   South Charlotte Panthers 2009  24
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 182   R/R
FB
90
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
86-88
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jun 13, 2008 - Jun 15, 2008   Green  9
Metrodome - Minneapolis, MN
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 182   R/R
FB
90
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
86-88
CB
76
SL
CH
74
Split
Knuckle
Luke Bard is a 2009 RHP/OF with a 6'2'', 182 lb. frame from Charlotte, NC who attends Charlotte Christian HS. Bard has a good projectable frame and uses a 3/4 arm angle with a lively fastball that touched 90 in the Metrodome. He worked in the upper 80's and also showed a good slurvy breaking ball. His change also has good action to it. He controls his fastball well and projects to add velocity. His brother was a first rounder. He is also an outstanding student.
PG Grade 9.5




Baseball Web TV Video | See this player's personally updated Skillshow ACT profile & videos ACT Profile
Luke Bard P 2008 National Showcase
Oct 25, 2007 - Oct 29, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  24
Roger Dean Complex - Jupiter, FL
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 155   R/R
FB
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle




Jul 17, 2007 - Jul 22, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  24
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 155   R/R
FB
84
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
81-84
CB
SL
74
CH
74
Split
Knuckle




Jul 10, 2007 - Jul 16, 2007   South Charlotte Panthers  24
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 155   R/R
FB
84
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
80-83
CB
SL
72
CH
74
Split
Knuckle




Jun 27, 2006 - Jul 02, 2006   Charlotte Hawks Baseball  24
East Cobb Complex - Marietta, GA
Luke Bard
RHP OF 6-2 155   R/R
FB
81
60
40
OF
IF
1B
C
Pop
Range
CB
71
SL
CH
Split
Knuckle