If you were an MLB executive, would you pick Oregon State Beavers pitcher Luke Heimlich in the 2018 MLB Draft, or does he carry too much baggage?
They say the cover-up is always worse than the crime and that is so in the case of Luke Heimlich. Around this time in 2017, he was a projected first or second round MLB Draft pick, playing on the best team in all of NCAA Baseball.
Then, a reporter for the Oregonian newspaper embraced their inner Nancy Drew and uncovered a startling discovery. Not only was Luke Heimlich a sex offender, but the alleged act involved a young female girl.
The alleged act reportedly occurred when Luke Heimlich was 15 years old — a minor at the time.
Sports Illustrated's upcoming cover story takes an in-depth look at Luke Heimlich https://t.co/vqUESSePOx
— The Oregonian (@Oregonian) May 16, 2018
Initially, Luke Heimlich wrote a 7-page hand-written confession and pleaded guilty. However, in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, the Oregon State pitcher recanted his confession and now claims he did not commit those deplorable acts that he initially took responsibility for many years ago.
We’re not here to dive into his off the field problems and dig up the skeletons in the closet of his past. As MLB fans we want to know where he’ll end up in this year’s MLB draft. We’ll let you decide if you want him on your MLB team or not.
Keith Law of the Toronto Blue Jays had this to say about Luke Heimlich.
"“Heimlich put many people’s jobs at risk and disclosed nothing until he was forced to do so by a good journalist. He thought of no one but himself. I wouldn’t want this person in my organization under any circumstances.”"
From the results of the 2017 MLB Draft, it’s evident that many MLB teams felt the same way. Luke Heimlich (statistically) was the best NCAA Baseball in 2017 — 11-1/ 0.76 ERA/128 strikeouts — yet went undrafted in the MLB Draft.
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Now, with the 2018 MLB Draft approaching and just over a year since the controversy broke, here were are again with Luke Heimlich.
He, in fact, returned for his senior season at Oregon State and put together another stellar season on the field — 15-1 /2.42 ERA/ 142 strikeouts. Oregon State recently advanced to the Super Regionals and are one of the favorites to win it all in Omaha.
After sitting out the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament in 2017, Luke Heimlich is playing under the bright lights of the first two NCAA tournament rounds.
With a year removed, will an MLB team take a chance on Luke Heimlich in the earlier rounds or any round for that matter?
It’s possible that Luke Heimlich drops late, around the 30th round or so (of 40 MLB Draft rounds). Or, he could go as early as the third round according to our MLB Draft expert Benjamin Chase. Whoever snags him up is getting a steal, regarding pure talent alone.
It’s unlikely he goes undrafted this time around, with some MLB team (likely) willing to take on Luke Heimlich and all of his baggage that comes along with the pick. Undoubtedly he’s going to hear it from fans every time he takes the mound. Receive death threats. The whole nine yards.
One MLB official said this if faced with the option of snagging Luke Heimlich in the 2018 MLB Draft.
"“The easiest thing is to say no. “But that might not be the right thing.”"
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Should MLB teams be willing to give Luke Heimlich a second chance at life? Or is he a condemned man, deserving no redemption?
His full life story is yet to be written and here’s hoping that Luke Heimlich makes the most of this life; whether he’s pitching in the World Series or working behind a desk the rest of his life.