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LHP Tyler Lumsden is ambidextrous

Tyler Ryan Lumsden 
Born: May 9, 1983 in Roanoke, Virginia, US 
High School: Cave Spring HS (Roanoke, VA) 
College: Clemson University (Clemson, SC) 

Height/Weight: 6' 4", 215 lb. 
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Left
Throws: Left (plus right-handed in the bullpen)
Velocity: 95 mph LHP, 80+ mph RHP

Tyler Lumsden was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 5th round in 2001, but did not sign. The left-hander enrolled at Clemson University where he was a pitcher for three years. 

In 2004, Lumsden was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round (34th) of the amateur draft.

Lumsden's fastball tops out at 95 mph. He also throws a curveball and a changeup. 

Tyler Lumsden is not a switch pitcher, per se, but he is ambidextrous and has the ability to throw the ball right-handed. 


Throwing right-handed was a backup plan

Have you ever thought about throwing a pitch right handed in the middle of a game since you are ambidextrous?

"I actually mess around and tease everyone that I want to throw right handed one day. One good thing during my rehab process is that I got to work on my right arm a lot. I have thrown bullpens just messing around, but I don’t know if it will ever carry over to the game...but it’s a back up plan. I think the rule is you can switch hands during an inning but just not in the middle of the batter. "
- Tyler Lumsden  (KC Royals forum 7/25/06)



First-round pick enjoys post-surgery success
07/19/2006 

If Lumsden ever does begin to experience elbow problems again it doesn't necessarily mean the end of his pitching career. He's ambidextrous and has been able to pitch with both arms since childhood. While he hasn't pitched lately from the right side, he says he can reach the low 80s on the gun without any effort. A little work and he might be able to get that fastball into the mid-90s as he does from the port side.

"I've always talked about doing it in a game, but I haven't done it yet," said Lumsden, who bats lefty but can switch hit. "If something ever did happen it's a plan I could fall back on, but hopefully I won't need to. I did warm up as a righty for a high school game, but I never got in. I joke around right-handed in the outfield, too.

"It's something I wouldn't mind doing, but I'm going to keep focusing on my left arm until I get that where I want it to be. Throwing right-handed feels natural, though. I still throw a football right-handed. Thankfully the baseball stayed in my left hand for the most part [growing up]." Read more



Elephants sign P Tyler Lumsden - Japanese Baseball - May 2011


Tyler Lumsden Stats - Baseball-Reference

Tyler Lumsden - BR Bullpen

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