Behind improved stuff and family support, Marlins’ Jesus Luzardo is living up to potential

Each time Jesus Luzardo steps on the mound, each time he puts on the uniform for his hometown Miami Marlins, he knows he has support with him.

His parents, Jesus Luzardo Sr. and Monica Luzardo, attend just about all of his games.

But Luzardo’s mind often goes to one man who is no longer here. Nicolas Alvarez — Luzardo’s grandfather on his mom’s side and, along with his father, one of the men who helped him fall in love with baseball at an early age — died last year.

“We bonded over baseball and McDonald’s,” Luzardo, 25, said of his relationship with his grandfather.

“We were really close,” Luzardo continued. “He was just the biggest baseball fan. That’s kind of what made me love baseball. ... He was probably the biggest Marlins fan I ever knew. Ever since we moved here, he became a Marlins fan because of all the Venezuelans they had — Anibal Sanchez, Miggy [Miguel Cabrera], all of them. We just shared a love for baseball and that was our biggest thing.”

Luzardo’s baseball journey, while still on the upswing, has already come full circle. He’s in his second full season pitching for the Marlins team he grew up cheering for after Miami acquired him at the 2021 MLB trade deadline from the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Starling Marte.

He had a breakout 2022 season, one that was only marred by missing two-and-a-half months because of a left forearm strain.

And this year? He has already picked up where he left off last season.

On Tuesday, Luzardo held the Philadelphia Phillies to three runs on eight hits, one walk and one hit by pitch while striking out five over six innings in Miami’s 8-4 win. All three runs he gave up came in the sixth inning on a Kyle Schwarber home run and a Bryson Stott two-run, two-out single with the bases loaded.

Luzardo has a 1.93 ERA over 18 2/3 innings through his first three starts of the season, with 20 strikeouts against six walks.

“The sky is the limit for Jesus,” Marlins general manager Kim Ng said. “I say his name and a smile comes to my face. He’s worked on his game an incredible amount between the last couple offseasons. Just watching him improve and progress, I think the sky’s the limit for him. I will tell you that when he gets guys [on base] is when you really see him bear down. I think that in itself is really impressive. His ability to channel that in a really positive way and get the outs that matter is big.”

Also big for Luzardo: His family support, which he has gotten throughout his entire baseball career — from little league to starting at Parkland Stoneman Douglas to the minor leagues to his burgeoning big-league career.

“It’s huge for me just to have a backbone like that,” Luzardo said. “Through the good and bad outings, the worst times in my career and probably some of the best times, they’re always there with the same support.”

There have been a lot more highs to celebrates over the past year.

Luzardo’s breakout 2022 included him he posted a 3.32 ERA with 120 strikeouts against 35 walks, a .191 batting average against and a 1.04 walks and hits per inning pitched rate over 100 1/3 innings.

His success last year is now the No. 2 pitcher in Miami’s rotation behind ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara.

Luzardo, however, doesn’t necessarily look at his role in that exact capacity.

“I’m just one of five,” Luzardo said. “I don’t really view myself as the number two out of all five starters. Every guy just wants to go out there and get outs. We all have the same job: Keep the team in the game. But I’m definitely honored to be part of this team and part of this rotation for a team that I rooted for since I was young.”

Three starts in, he’s showing why he is worthy of his spot.

Luzardo is one of eight pitchers in the league to have a sub-2.00 ERA after three starts. His fastball velocity is up nearly a mile per hour from last year. Opponents have whiffed on 35.9 percent of their swings against him.

But Luzardo’s goals are anything but individualistic. Asked what would make this season successful, Luzardo responded, “A World Series ring. The playoffs.”

“I really couldn’t care less about my numbers,” Luzardo said. “Everyone wants to win here. Obviously a full year healthy, that’s my biggest priority. I don’t worry myself as much about the numbers. Obviously, I hope to do well but I feel as long as I’m healthy and as long as the team is winning, it will all fall in line.”

Everything fell in line for the Marlins on Tuesday. Luzardo had his second consecutive quality start as he continues to establish himself as a front-line starter, Luis Arraez hit for the first cycle in franchise history and Miami’s offense finally strung together clutch hits.