Lucas Duda is a former professional baseball player who played as a first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on February 3, 1986, in Fontana, California, and attended the University of Southern California.
Duda was drafted by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 2007 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2010 and played with the team until 2017. During his time with the Mets, Duda was known for his power hitting and was a key player in the team's run to the World Series in 2015.
In 2017, Duda was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he played for the remainder of the season. He then signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals for the 2018 season. Duda struggled with injuries during his time with the Royals and was released by the team in August 2018.
Duda signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins in February 2019 but was released by the team in March. He then signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves in April 2019 but was released by the team in May.
Throughout his career, Duda was known for his power hitting and ability to hit home runs. He hit a career-high 30 home runs in 2014 and hit a total of 157 home runs in his MLB career. Duda also had a career batting average of .242 and a career on-base percentage of .340.
In addition to his power hitting, Duda was also known for his defensive abilities. He played primarily as a first baseman but also played in the outfield during his career. Duda was a finalist for the Gold Glove Award in 2014 for his defensive play at first base.
Overall, Lucas Duda had a successful career in MLB, playing for several teams and making a name for himself as a power hitter and solid defender. While injuries and other factors may have impacted his performance in later years, Duda will be remembered as a talented player who made a significant impact on the teams he played for.
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