Grafton hurler is living the MLB dream

Much like hitters he faces, Adam Lukas didn’t exactly know what was coming in the Major League Baseball draft this month.

The Grafton resident and University of Evansville junior pitcher figured he would be drafted. Several teams were interested. But when and by which team was in question.

In the 12th round and the 349th overall pick, it happened.

Lukas and his parents saw his name pop up on the screen as he was selected by the Kansas City Royals. Seconds later, a scout called to confirm the pick.

It was a special moment.

“It was just really exciting for all of us just knowing that this was what a lot of people dream of and this was a lot of hard work that paid off. It was amazing,” Lukas said.

His father Tony, his youth coach for a decade, was glad the wait was over.

“It was a little bit of relief, I think, that it finally happened, but then we were just super happy for all of the work he put in and to live the dream he’s always had,” he said.

Lukas had little time to celebrate. Two days later, he flew to the Royals’ spring training facility in Phoenix where he is rehabbing his pitching elbow. He expects to play in a fall league starting in September.

Until then, his days consist of rehab work, weight lifting and conditioning.

Lukas said he hasn’t yet met any Royals players and hasn’t talked to World Series-winning manager Ned Yost.

Lukas recently completed his junior season at Evansville, where he started 14 games and whiffed 75 batters in 68 innings. He had an earned-run average of 5.82 and held hitters to a .240 average. He received Missouri Valley Conference honorable mention recognition.

Lukas’ fastball can reach 100 mph and is his preferred strikeout pitch, along with his slider, he said.

“We thought he would go to college as a hitter, but he very quickly got to the point where he could throw harder than everybody else,” Tony said.

In 2018, Lukas played summer ball with the Mankato Moondogs of the Northwoods League and made the all-star team. He went 6-0 with a 2.62 ERA, whiffing 61 in 48 innings.

Lukas came to Evansville after a decorated high school career at Grafton.

When he graduated in 2016, he held the school record for victories with 19 and ERA with 1.63. He ranked second with a .545 slugging percentage and third with a .375 batting average.

Lukas was a three-year letter winner and during his senior season hit .385 and had a .615 slugging percentage in North Shore Conference play. He had four doubles, a triple and two homers, drove in 15 runs and scored 11 runs.

On the mound, the right-hander posted a 6-1 record and 1.25 ERA. In 39-1/3 innings, he allowed 21 hits, struck out 41 and walked 26, limiting opponents to a .151 batting average.

Lukas said his time in the Grafton program under coach Brian Durst helped develop his baseball career.

“It was an amazing experience. Grafton just was a nice stepping stone to get to college, and being part of a winning program was key for my development, I believe. Grafton just helped me out a lot,” he said.

Before high school, Lukas played for Bigler Sports LLC in Grafton and had his father as a coach.

“Showing how much he loved the game and transferring that over to me, it was awesome to have him as my coach for 10 or so years,” Lukas said.

His father is a Port Washington High School assistant coach. Lukas’ older brother Nate played baseball at Truman State in Missouri before injuries ended his career.