Lessons

We are happy to announce a new team member, Luke Eldred, a dynamic figure in baseball, as the Youth Director and Pitching Instructor for the Iowa Prospects.

Originally from Mount Vernon, Iowa, Luke's journey in sports began on the fields and courts of Mount Vernon High School, where he excelled in baseball and basketball. Post-high school, Luke embarked on a collegiate baseball career at Dallas Baptist University, showcasing his skills as a pitcher from 2017 to 2022. His tenure at DBU was marked by outstanding achievements, contributing to the team's impressive five NCAA Division I Regional appearances (2017, 18, 19, 21, and 22) and a memorable Super Regional appearance in 2021. Luke's standout performance during his redshirt freshman season earned him the prestigious title of freshman All-American in 2018. He also secured a spot on the 2nd team All-Missouri Valley Conference the same year.

In 2021, Luke's excellence continued to shine as he earned a coveted place on the MVC All-Tournament team. His commitment to academics and athletics was recognized with distinctions such as being named an Honorable Mention Scholar-Athlete and receiving the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award.

Post-collegiate career, Luke took his talents to the West Virginia Black Bears in the MLB Draft League during the 2022 season, marking the conclusion of his playing days. The baseball legacy runs deep in Luke's family, as his father, Cal Eldred, was a first-round draft pick for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1989 from the University of Iowa. A respected pitcher, Cal enjoyed a 14-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals before transitioning to coaching. Notably, he served as the pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals for five seasons (2018-2022).

Luke specializes in providing pitching instruction that meticulously refines mechanics in a balanced and competitive manner. Our youth program's core objective is to leverage baseball to cultivate essential qualities like discipline, attention to detail, teamwork, and competitiveness.

“We've discovered that when these life lessons and attributes are consistently emphasized, it enhances overall development and contributes to a more successful performance on the field. These pillars—discipline, attention to detail, teamwork, and competitiveness—will serve as the foundation of our program, fostering growth in these young players both on and off the baseball diamond.” - Luke Eldred