Height
5'11"
Weight
180 lbs
Age
31
College
Sacramento State
Draft
2015, Rd 7, #214
Experience
3 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsD+
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 194 | 0.25443786 | 13 | 79 | 0.7212291 | 3 | 129 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
AAV
$780K/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Nathan Lukes' one-year, $0.8M deal with the Blue Jays earns a solid B CVI, representing shrewd roster construction for a team looking to maximize depth without major financial commitment. At league minimum salary, Lukes provides exactly what contending teams need in their fourth outfielder — a capable defender who can step into right field rotation without creating a significant drop-off in production. The Blue Jays are clearly operating within a competitive window where every roster spot matters, and this type of low-risk, short-term signing allows them to allocate their payroll resources toward impact players while maintaining organizational flexibility. For a rotational player at this price point, the deal carries minimal downside while offering legitimate upside if Lukes can capture more playing time due to injuries or performance issues ahead of him on the depth chart. The one-year structure is particularly smart given the volatile nature of fourth outfielder roles, allowing Toronto to reassess their outfield needs without long-term obligations. This is exactly the type of complementary move that separates well-run organizations from those that overspend on marginal upgrades.
Performance Analysis
Nathan Lukes grades as an above average performer among MLB right fielders, earning a B Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.259 batting average and a 0.737 OPS (near the league average of .720) this season. With 13 home runs and 77 RBI through 186 games (a 11-HR, 67-RBI pace over a full season), he brings limited power to the lineup. As a prime-age veteran at 31, Nathan is a key contributor for the Blue Jays. A 186-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 4/8 | vs LAD | W 4-3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tue, 4/7 | vs LAD | L 1-4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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