Add The New York Post on Google It took Luke Pettitte one professional game to match his dad’s career home run output.
Luke Pettitte, who was drafted by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in his debut with the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate.
With father Andy Pettitte in attendance at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Luke, 21, began his pro career by grounding an RBI single to right field in his first at-bat to cut Tampa’s early deficit to 7-5.
In the bottom of the fifth, Luke drove the fifth pitch, an 89 mph fastball, of his at-bat versus Daytona Tortugas left-hander Dominic Scheffler deep to left field for a 400-foot home run.
“It was just a pretty surreal moment,” Luke said after his memorable debut in which Tampa fell 12-11, per MiLB.com. “Obviously, I get to wear the pinstripes. It’s not the Yankee uniform yet, but getting to try and follow in my dad’s footsteps and take in what tonight was all about.
“Having them there, and making the most of every opportunity and every moment that I had, that was really special.”
It was an encouraging start for Pettitte, whom the Yanks took out of Dallas Baptist University due to his potential two-way prowess.
Pettitte posted a 3.19 ERA with 56 strikeouts over 48 innings during two collegiate seasons, but Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire pitching campaign in 2026.
Turning his attention to full-time designated hitter duties, Pettitte slashed .337/.403/.693 with 16 home runs and 48 RBIs for Dallas Baptist, drawing interest from the Yankees regardless of his last name.
“We liked him as a pitcher; he got hurt. We followed him as a hitter, he’s had power,” Yankees vice president and director of amateur scouting Damon Oppenheimer said. “The guy’s got a good swing, so his name could have been [anything] and we were taking him based off the ability we saw here.”
Andy Pettitte, one of the greatest pitchers in Yankees history and a current special adviser to the organization, managed one home run during his career — and it did not come with the Bombers.
During his stint with the Astros, Pettitte hit his lone career round-tripper in Houston on August 11, 2006 against the Padres.
It’s been a banner week for retired Yankees left-handed pitchers and their sons.
Over the weekend, CC Sabathia’s son — a 20th-round pick of the Brewers this year — also hit his first pro home run.
With his dad also in attendance, Carsten Sabathia III went deep in his fifth pro game with the Wilson Warbirds, Milwaukee’s Single-A affiliate.
“Amazing to be here today,” Sabathia wrote on Instagram after the game.
