LaCourse Takes Big Step Toward Dream Of Playing MLB

Luke LaCourse RHP / 3B / Bay City Western, MI / 2025

TEMPE, Ariz. - “A kid’s dream is to play Major League Baseball and that’s my dream.”

Luke LaCourse took a big step in that direction with his recent decision to sign a professional contract and forego college at Michigan State.

“If I went to college this fall I’d have to compete for innings,” the recent Bay City Western graduate explained. “Going to pro ball, I can focus on developing while having access for everything I need to be the best pitcher I can be.”

A sixth-round pick of the Angels in the MLB Draft back in July, Lacourse was with family waiting to see where his future home could be.

“It was weird,” LaCourse reflected about the draft. “We knew the way the draft worked and it didn’t matter that much when I was drafted. We had an idea it would be the fourth to seventh round and if not the 11th to 13th round. The eighth, ninth and 10th are when fifth-year college guys usually go.”

The 18-year-old had an idea when it might take place.

“Sometimes you know,” LaCourse said. “When I woke up that day I had a 50-50 feeling. We were getting through the sixth round and the phone rang. It was my agent calling. He was panicking. ‘We have this amount of money with the Angels. You need to decide now!’ I said, ‘let’s do it.’ I went downstairs. I had tears in my eyes.”

Up to the draft LaCourse had talked with 25 of the 30 teams.

“We knew 13 to 15 were in our ballpark,” noted LaCourse. “That’s how it works. Some save money in certain rounds and are then able to go over the slot amount. I’m grateful and happy how it turned out.”

The signing bonus was $512,500, above the slot number of $393,700.

“I did it electronically,” LaCourse said of the signing. “I left the Saturday after the draft and I’ve been here a few weeks. It’s nice to be on the West Coast.”

There was a matter of letting Michigan State coaches know his decision once turning pro became a reality.

“It was tough, but the Michigan State staff was awesome,” LaCourse related. “It was really a hard choice. We set the number we wanted and if the team gives you more … that’s great. That helped make the decision.

“The coaches were happy for me when I told them,” the 169th-selection in the draft continued. “They’re all first class. I’m going to miss out on the college experience, but I have no regrets about the decision.”

A typical day out in Arizona now begins at 6:30 a.m., with getting to the field at 7 a.m. for meetings, throwing and lifting. By 1 p.m. baseball is over for the day.

“I’m doing a bridge camp that will last until Sept. 6,” LaCourse said. “I’m going to take it slow with how much I threw this year. In late September to mid-October I’ll go to an instructional league. That will be my first taste of pro-ball experience.”

A lot went into professional baseball becoming a reality in the eyes of the top-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in Michigan.

“Doing all the PBR showcases with the pressure aspect, having success with that helped when college coaches or pro scouts were watching,” LaCourse explained. “That made it easier for me to handle this year when they’re watching. Those experiences made all this easier.”

One such experience stood out.

“I was invited to the East Coast Pro Showcase in Cincinnati,” LaCourse said. “I made the team but didn’t think anything of it. I thought Michigan State was my future. But then I threw well at the tournament and after that it all started rolling. Teams started talking to us and I had to get an agent. That threw me into the fire.”

That was a year ago. Now the second-rated 2025 in the state of Michigan is a pro.

“I’m just taking things one day at a time now,” LaCourse said. “I go in each day and give 100 percent effort. Control what you can control. You can’t control the business side, but you can control the rest.”

The 23rd-ranked 2025 right-handed pitcher in the nation is of the belief there is a lot of improvement ahead.

“I have a lot of room to grow strength-wise,” the 6-3 220-pounder said. “I think I can throw harder. I was drafted on my spin, but need to develop pitch shapes and grow my velocity. It will be fun when I’m a finished product.”