Former Chillicothe Mudcat Nathan Lukes is on the doorstep of the World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lukes has become a fixture in the Jays lineup in 2025, and he's made his impact felt in the postseason. The left-handed hitting outfielder is batting .348 with a pair of doubles and seven RBIs while playing in all seven of Toronto's playoff games with five starts.
In the American League Division Series clincher in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, Lukes came through with the hit that proved to be the game-winner in the seventh driving in a pair of runs.
The production out of the Sacramento State alum isn't a surprise for the folks in Chillicothe.
Lukes played for head coach Eric Peterson and the Mudcats in the MINK League in 2013 as he was entering his freshman season at Sacramento. That Chillicothe squad posted a 26-21 record with the young slugger making a big impact at the plate. In 34 games, he posted a .362 average with one home run and 24 RBIs. Lukes finished the regular season hitting safely in 16 of 17 games and batting .420 during that stretch.
Lukes and the Blue Jays trail the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. Game four from T-Mobile Park in Seattle is Thursday at 7:33pm.
