Mike Leake

[Jamz]

Hey all,

I just think that this guy deserves some recognition. I know that he isn't viewed as a top level prospect, or someone that can anchor a rotation for his career or ever be an all-star...but I really like him. I think he's a great middle of the rotation guy and down the line I hope that he stays with the Reds. He seems to have spunk, he's only 24 and given that he skipped AAA entirely I think that the organization sees something in him, too.

He's had a good season so far after April and I think that it can continue. Anyone else a big Leake fan?

[dubc47834]

Hey all,

I just think that this guy deserves some recognition. I know that he isn't viewed as a top level prospect, or someone that can anchor a rotation for his career or ever be an all-star...but I really like him. I think he's a great middle of the rotation guy and down the line I hope that he stays with the Reds. He seems to have spunk, he's only 24 and given that he skipped AAA entirely I think that the organization sees something in him, too.

He's had a good season so far after April and I think that it can continue. Anyone else a big Leake fan?

I wouldn't say I'm a big fan, but I like the kid. It's pretty impressive to basically come straight from the draft to the major leagues. He was sent down that 1 time. He got off to a slow start this year but has picked it up a lil as of late. I think he should have a very solid MLB career.

[herbdizzle]

Mike Leake is the one Red I think gets ignored and overlooked when we discuss how good this Reds team can be. In only his third year he has shown the ability to pitch full MLB seasons and is pretty reliable in his innings and K/BB. While I don't think he will ever contend for a Cy Young he should have a career arc similar to Arroyo with the potential for slightly better. An annual 12-14 win guy with an ERA under 4.00 works for me.

[DirtyBaker]

You certainly take a guy like Leake as a fourth of fifth starter. The upside may not be there like other young pitchers but I'll take steady unspectacular guys to round out the rotation. He's cheap, keeps us in games, and is a good guy when he's not returning t-shirts.

[Stray]

The thing I like about Leake is that he really helps himself offensively and defensively. At some point in his career he will win a Gold Glove. He may not have the stuff of some of our other guys, but you can see where he's making strides. The guy is still young, like the guy above me said, as a 4-5 starter you can sure do a lot worse.

[Jamz]

Also if his pitching trails off we could always make him our left fielder -- he has the bat for it. :P

[smixsell]

Leake is a STUD. The lukewarm reation to him on this board is a great litmus test for how little most on here know about pitching.

[IamRV]

If I were into buying jerseys, his would be at the top of my list.

[Jamz]

Leake is a STUD. The lukewarm reation to him on this board is a great litmus test for how little most on here know about pitching.

What do you think his ceiling is?

[Assembly Hall]

What do you think his ceiling is?

Personally, I think he could be a Greg Maddux type.

[Krawhitham]

He is 2-5 with a 4.7 ERA

He is the most over rated red

Nothing but a junk ball pitcher, for his career players are hitting .272


Why do people keep comparing him to Maddux, Maddux had control.

At age 24 Maddux already had 60 wins a 3.68 ERA and 26 CG

[xsteve1]

Leake has been the 2nd best pitcher on the staff the last 2 years. Plus he's a good hitter. It's obvious there are people on this board that are really clueless.

[miamiredskin]

He is 2-5 with a 4.7 ERA

He is the most over rated red

Nothing but a junk ball pitcher, for his career players are hitting .272


Why do people keep comparing him to Maddux, Maddux had control.

At age 24 Maddux already had 60 wins a 3.68 ERA and 26 CG


Mozart was writing music at age 5.

[BluegrassRedleg]

Leake is A-OK as long as he's not one of your top three guys in the rotation IMO. As a No. 4 or 5, he's better than what most people run out there. And I like what he brings to the table with the threat of swinging the bat, running the bases.

[Jamz]

It's also worth noting that according to his xFIP he's been pretty unlucky as a pitcher to this point in his career.

[Assembly Hall]

He is 2-5 with a 4.7 ERA

He is the most over rated red

Nothing but a junk ball pitcher, for his career players are hitting .272


Why do people keep comparing him to Maddux, Maddux had control.

At age 24 Maddux already had 60 wins a 3.68 ERA and 26 CG


Maddux didnt come into his own until his third year in the league. And at age 24 he was 15-15.

BTW.......what's wrong with being a junk ball pitcher?

[Jamz]

Another great outing by Leake last night...too bad the rest of the team let him down late (namely Chapman.)

[Ironman92]

Maddux didnt come into his own until his third year in the league. And at age 24 he was 15-15.

BTW.......what's wrong with being a junk ball pitcher?

Wonder how Maddux pitched all those innings and was even unsuccessful so young and continued on for a great career? If he was coming up now he'd get called up at age 23 and probably never get near 300 with the delays and babying the arm for innings.

[Ironman92]

Maddux

Age 22 18-8 249 inn
Age 23 19-12 238 inn

Had 15+ wins each of the next 15 season and threw over 199 innings the next 17 seasons.

[Jamz]

Add another great outing, and another homerun. I love it.

[brm7675]

What is interesting is Homer has more ability but Leake is a better pitcher...

[Stray]

When he is hitting his spots he can be tough. He has to be a little more perfect than most guys, but you can see improvements on him even if his stat line doesn't show it. I'm still more impressed by everything else he does. Between his defense, base running, and hitting he can help the team win in so many ways.

[AintlifeGrande]

If he can string together a couple more good starts in a row,then we may be on to something.We really need another starter to step up for the stretch run.

[TheBigLebowski]

I have been as vocal in my criticisms of Mike Leake as perhaps anyone. But I eat my crow when it's deserved, and right now, it is. I am not completely sold on him yet - he could just as easily go on a string of bad starts to match his current hot streak - but I'm thinking that outcome is becoming less and less likely.

[smixsell]

Like I've said from the beginning, Leake is a STUD. It's a tribute to how little many on here know about the actual game that he is so lightly regarded. He is going to be a TOR guy for many years to come if he stays healthy. He will probably end up with the best career of any pitcher currently on our staff, including Cueto, who is also destined for a GREAT career IMO.

[P.E.R#14]

Since this thread was posted (roughly), Leake is 1-0 with a 2.80 ERA in five starts. He's averaging 7 innings per start, has a 6-1 K to BB ratio (walking 1.02 batters/9 Innings) and a WHIP of 1.08.

Sounds good to me!

Go Reds!!

[brm7675]

Leake is what he is, never be an ACE, but will over his career post some very respectable numbers and I am glad he is a Red.

[smixsell]

Leake is what he is, never be an ACE, but will over his career post some very respectable numbers and I am glad he is a Red.

Leading off with a statement like that for a guy just starting his 3rd professional season ( and who has been steadily improving year to year) shows that we can safely disregard whatever follows.