Welcome to REX Nation, where you can learn the latest insights and moves with the Terre Haute Rex of the Prospect League. It today’s edition, Jeremy Lucas is hired to be the team’s hitting coach for the upcoming season.

Jeremy Lucas Hired as Rex’s New Hitting Coach

The Terre Haute Rex (Prospect League) hired Jeremy Lucas as their new batting coach. Jeremy was selected out of high school (West Vigo High) in the 35th round of the 2009 MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles, but opted to play for Indiana State instead.  In 2012, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians following his junior year.

Jeremy returns to Terre Haute after playing six seasons in the minors with the Indians organization. He began his professional career in Mahoning Valley (Low-A) in the New York-Penn League, where he hit .250 in 29 games.

The next season, Lucas split time between Mid-A Lake County and AA-Akron. In Lake County he hit .274 in 75 games with 18 doubles, 6 homers and 35 RBI. He spent just 5 games in Akron, hitting .200 with a pair of RBI.

A season later, he spent the entire season in High-A Carolina where he put together arguably his best season offensively. In 101 games, Lucas hit .267 with a career high 12 homers. He drove in 58, scored 62 runs, and walked 52 times, posting a .363 on-base percentage. The catcher-first baseman also showed a great eye at the plate, striking out only 69 times in 439 at-bats.

The success of 2014 earned him a return to Akron the following year, where he put up solid numbers, hitting .239 in 68 games with 25 runs scored and 22 RBI. The following season, Lucas returned to Akron but would spend four games with the AAA-Columbus Clippers. Combined, he hit .252 with 12 homers and 48 RBI in 99 games. He also walked 45 times for a .346 OBP.

Last season, Lucas spent 16 games at Columbus, hitting .140 in 50 plate appearances.

A Perfect Fit

The hiring of Jeremy Lucas is not a surprise at all. Lucas was teammates with Terre Haute Rex Head Coach Tyler Wampler at West Vigo, and the two played for the 2009 Indiana State High School Championship team together. They then came together in college where they helped Indiana State earn the 2012 Missouri Valley Conference title. Jeremy had a breakout season that year, earning the Joe Carter Player of the Year Award, the only player in the school’s history to earn the honor.

By Doug Hess