Jesús Luzardo was born in Lima, Peru, to Venezuelan parents. His family relocated to South Florida as an infant, where Luzardo grew up and attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He graduated in 2016 and became known for his dedication to baseball and his community. Following the tragic school shooting in 2018, Luzardo organized a fundraiser that raised over $10,000 in honor of his late athletic director, Chris Hixon.
MLB Beginnings
Luzardo was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, making history as the first Peruvian-born player drafted in over three decades. Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery that year, Luzardo made a strong professional debut in 2017. He later joined the Oakland Athletics through a trade, quickly rising as one of baseball’s top pitching prospects.
MLB Career Highlights
Luzardo made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2019, becoming the first Peruvian-born player in major league history. He showcased his resilience and skill despite injuries and setbacks, including a fractured pinky and COVID-19. In 2021, he was traded to the Miami Marlins, where he became a crucial part of their rotation.
Recent Challenges and Achievements
By 2023, Luzardo had cemented his place in the Marlins’ rotation, delivering a solid season with a 3.58 ERA and 208 strikeouts. However, a lumbar stress reaction sidelined him in 2024, marking another chapter in his journey of overcoming adversity.
