After three seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, Nathan Lukes finally became a big league regular.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual 40-man roster review ahead of the new season. If you missed the most recent article, we looked at Spencer Miles. In this article, we’ll look at Nathan Lukes.
The outfielder was drafted all the way back in 2015 by the Cleveland Guardians. Lukes played parts of two seasons in their farm system before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2016 deadline. He spent another five seasons in their organization before becoming a minor league free agent at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
Signing a minor league deal with the Blue Jays, Lukes slashed .285/.364/.425 with 11 home runs in 484 plate appearances, setting a new career high in homers. At the conclusion of the 2022 season, Lukes was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
The following season, Lukes had a cup of tea in the big leagues, playing 29 games where he had just 31 plate appearances. He hit below the Mendoza line, and failed to hit his first big league home run. With the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Lukes slashed .366/.423/.530 with five home runs in 222 plate appearances that season.
Lukes spent the majority of the 2024 season with the Bisons, slashing .335/.403/.463 with seven home runs in 243 plate appearances. But towards the end of the season, with the Blue Jays out of contention, Lukes got his largest cup of tea with them, slashing .303/.371/.447 with a home run in 91 plate appearances.
His performance contributed to him making the Blue Jays Opening Day roster in 2025. Unlike 2023, Lukes actually received plate appearances in 2025, slashing .255/.323/.407 with 12 home runs in 438 plate appearances for a 103 wRC+. This was all while providing strong defence at all three outfield spots. Lukes appeared in 17 of the Blue Jays 18 postseason games, slashing .274/.328/.339 with no home runs in 68 plate appearances. Overall, a good season for the 31-year-old.
The big question entering this off-season was whether Lukes would be replaced, as the Jays had significant interest in Kyle Tucker. However, as we are quickly approaching the beginning of Spring Training, it looks as if the Jays are going into the 2026 season as is.
And if projections are to be believed, Lukes will have a solid season as the team’s fourth outfielder. Steamer projects he’ll slash .273/.336/.405 with five home runs in 261 plate appearances for a 108 wRC+. You’ll take that type of production, especially with good defence.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.