Should Mike Leake be pitching in the majors right now?

[Benihana]

I think now after Sunday's dazzling debut is as good of a time as any for this poll. I'd like to see where most people on this board stand in terms of the Mike Leake decision. Keeping in mind what happened to Homer Bailey in the Summer of 2006, I want to know definitively right now if you think it is a good decision to have Mike Leake beginning his career in the major leagues.

This poll will close in 10 days, so Leake will have 1 more opportunity to show his stuff before you must decide.

Please include explanations below.

[RedEye]

Where's the poll?

[Brutus]

He most certainly passed the "look" test on Sunday. He looked like he belonged in the majors based on his approach against certain hitters and movement on his pitches.

[Degenerate39]

I think he would've benefitted a little from a few minor league games but for the most part I believe he was ready. If it wasn't for Volquez getting hurt he'd be in the minors right now.

[Bumstead]

He was given the opportunity to compete for the job, he competed and won the job. Let him have the job he won. Let someone else try and take it from him. I think he is a tough kid that won't be hurt by being up at this point in his career.

Bum

[Redsfan320]

Absolutely yes. This team needs something to shove them over .500 and he may be it. After Sunday, there's not a doubt in my mind he should be with the Reds right now.

320

[Homer Bailey]

Although I was happy with his first start, I don't think I'm as blown away as others. Obviously the 7 BB's jumps out at you. However, I think most would agree that he typically has solid control, and that we shouldn't expect that going forward. However, I think we would all be singing a different tune if the Cubs were actually able to take advantage of the 7BB's, which is what major league teams will do to you.

Maybe I should explain my answer, as I'm the only one that has voted for the 2nd option. Maybe the question was meant to be answered this way, but I voted guessing that he would not spend the entire year in the rotation. I think he is going to see some bumps in the road, and that is totally to be expected. I think Chapman is going to beat down the door for the majors, and once Volquez is back, I see Leake being the odd man out of the rotation. After re-reading the question, it would appear as if I answered incorrectly. For now, I think he is obviously the best choice for the rotation, but I’d be surprised if he spent the entire year in the rotation.

Also, I considered the fact that as the fifth starter, he may get skipped a few times. Would the Reds rather move him down to AAA to keep him on a regular schedule? Not sure.

[pedro]

If the Reds feel he is one of the five best candidates for the rotation then yes.

[Edd Roush]

I vote yes. The 7 BBs are alarming, but considering his past performance both this spring and at Arizona State, I do not see it as too much of an issue. Remember, a couple of those walks were intentionally unintentional walks. They count the same either way, but I did not really come away thinking, "man, that guy could not find the plate." I think a little could be attributed to nerves, a little attributed to a small zone and a little to avoiding the tough spots of the line-up. Let's see how he does over 10-15 starts. I am in no way ready to say he is a future ace, but I am interested to see how he will do a couple times through the division.

[TheNext44]

I voted yes, but I could see the Reds sending him down and shutting him down at some point this season to save his arm and delay his Free Agent clock.

[SirFelixCat]

Absolutely he belongs and has earned the #5 spot. The 7 BB's, while in a vacuum look bad. He got insanely squeezed on a ton of borderline pitches. Didn't get a single one called a strike.

I have no doubt that is the aberration and not the norm.

[Tom Servo]

What happened to Homer in the Summer of 2006?

[klw]

I thought about giving a snarky answer that no he should not be pitching in the majors right now because it is Tuesday and he just threw 100+ pitches on Sunday. Instead I will go with yes. It seems like he has a good sense of how to pitch and good control. Coddle his arm but if he knows how to pitch then just let him get on with it.

[RedEye]

Does Leake remind anyone else of Bronson Arroyo? Not in terms of pitching, but in terms of looks and demeanor?

[WebScorpion]

Yes, I think he's ready for the Show. He showed incredible poise for a kid who just went straight from college to the Major Leagues...I'm sure he'll cut down on the walks in his next start. My only hesitation with Leake is that he's never pitched a full minor league season, much less a 162(+, hopefully) Major League schedule. I hope they have the good sense and courage to shut him down about the time Volquez is ready.