[Buckskin86]

Ex-Buckeye 'real deal,' Towers says
By Tom Krasovic
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

August 27, 2007

Athletes from Ohio State are more apt to become football or basketball standouts than impact performers in the major leagues.
Padres General Manager Kevin Towers sees a potential exception in Corey Luebke, the former Buckeyes pitcher chosen by scouting director Bill ?Chief? Gayton two months ago.

Luebke, performing at two levels below advanced Single-A, racked up 56 strikeouts against only seven walks in his initial 51 2/3 innings. Towers recently watched Luebke, a starter with low Single-A Fort Wayne, Ind., throw 5 2/3 scoreless innings against a Reds affiliate before a sold-out crowd in Dayton, Ohio.
?Luebke is the real deal,? Towers said. ?He has a very good body and delivery with three present major league pitches. Fastball was 90-93 (mph) with excellent command.?

Drafted 63rd overall in June, the left-hander could be in Double-A next year. ?He should move quick through the minors,? Towers said. ?He is very impressive.?

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