Mike Leake - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

camisadelgolf · 06-09-2009, 07:21 PM

I suppose we can start an official thread for the Reds' first round selection, Mike Leake.

I just listened to an interview with Chris Buckley regarding Leake that's pretty interesting.
http://twaud.io/r6

OnBaseMachine · 06-09-2009, 07:28 PM

“Mike is a very polished pitcher with a good delivery and lots of poise. He is an impressive looking athlete who has a great deal of ability and an excellent command of four pitches. We are excited to add this caliber of pitcher to our organization,” said Buckley.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs...ed_pitche.html

Mario-Rijo · 06-09-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Mike Leake
RHP | Arizona State
Weight: 180 lbs.
Height: 6-0

Summary: Leake is a typical command right-hander, featuring a four-pitch mix (watch scouting video) without a single knockout pitch but with good life on his two-seamer and a solid-average curve. He'll pitch at 88-92 mph, with a hard, late tailing action that makes it more effective than a typical fastball with fringe-average to average velocity. His curve has a short, two-plane break and appears to pop out of his hand, with a break that accelerates as it comes toward the hitter. He throws a hard changeup around 82 mph with a slight tailing action and showed a slider around 79-80 mph with decent tilt. He commands all four pitches and throws strikes, and works very quickly. He's a good athlete who plays some outfield for ASU and fields his position well as a pitcher. Leake's delivery is compact with just a little head movement at the end as he releases the ball. His arm is quick and its path behind his body isn't long, partly due to the fact he separates his hands early as he moves them down from their peak point in his windup. His performance has put him solidly into the middle of the first round, and he should be relatively quick to the majors as a more or less finished product right now.

Player Grades
PRESENT FUTURE LOW (MPH) HIGH (MPH)
Fastball 50 50 88 92
FB Movement 50 60 -- --
Command 50 55 -- --
Control 55 60 -- --
Curveball 50 50 75 77
Slider 45 50 79 80
Changeup 50 50 80 82
Feel for Pitching 55 60 -- --

lollipopcurve · 06-09-2009, 07:34 PM

Micah Owings and now Leake. In my opinion, it's clear the organization is putting a premium on guys who who are complete baseball players who compete hard. Love the pick.

OnBaseMachine · 06-09-2009, 07:35 PM

I like this pick. Baseball America compares Leake to Tim Hudson because of his small frame and repertoire.

reds1869 · 06-09-2009, 07:41 PM

Great pick. Leake will be with the big club sooner than most of the other top pitchers on the board. As another poster mentioned, he has a high floor and is almost a lock to contribute solidly at the MLB level.

D-Man · 06-09-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Summary: Leake is a typical command right-hander, featuring a four-pitch mix (watch scouting video) without a single knockout pitch

That's a backhanded, Jeff Austinesque compliment.

Let's hope the results are more Hudson-like or Oswaltlicious.

chicoruiz · 06-09-2009, 07:47 PM

BA mentions that while he is able to dial his fastball up to 94 on occasion, he's found that it gets better movement at 88-92. Sounds like a guy who's actually had a thought or two...

Joseph · 06-09-2009, 08:12 PM

Someone explain to me why this is a better TALENT pick than Crow or White. I'm ignorant when it comes to amateur ball for the most part, but this guy didn't excite me when announced. I was sure it would be Crow.

membengal · 06-09-2009, 08:17 PM

The gist seems to be that he's more projectable. I like the part about the plus plus command of all four of his pitches that was in one of the write-ups. No mechanical issues.

Absolutely ridiculous good numbers in a tough Pac 10 league. 150 Ks in 132 innings tells me that he isn't a "guile" pitcher. He's nasty. The big issue seems to be his height, and, frankly, I am not one who gets bothered by that.

Blitz Dorsey · 06-09-2009, 08:23 PM

I think the Reds did a good job here. I wanted Crow, but I'm happy with Leake if that makes any sense.

Rojo · 06-09-2009, 08:25 PM

Guys like Leake are great pickups -- if they fall in the draft. For an early first-round, I don't like.

Blitz Dorsey · 06-09-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rojo

Guys like Leake are great pickups -- if they fall in the draft. For an early first-round, I don't like.

Who would you have taken then? Crow?

defender · 06-09-2009, 08:30 PM

I like the philosophy of building a team with a defense that catches the ball and pitchers that don't walk batters.

Caveat Emperor · 06-09-2009, 08:39 PM

His scouting report reads like a guy who has already reached his ceiling.

In no way does this read like "best player available" -- it reads like "player who will make it to the bigs quickest."

06-09-2009, 07:21 PM	#1
camisadelgolf Vampire Weekend @Bernie's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 11,311	Mike Leake I suppose we can start an official thread for the Reds' first round selection, Mike Leake. I just listened to an interview with Chris Buckley regarding Leake that's pretty interesting. http://twaud.io/r6

06-09-2009, 07:28 PM	#2
OnBaseMachine Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 34,656	Re: Mike Leake “Mike is a very polished pitcher with a good delivery and lots of poise. He is an impressive looking athlete who has a great deal of ability and an excellent command of four pitches. We are excited to add this caliber of pitcher to our organization,” said Buckley. http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs...ed_pitche.html __________________ I miss Adam Dunn.

06-09-2009, 07:34 PM	#4
lollipopcurve Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shelburne Falls, MA Posts: 9,483	Re: Mike Leake Micah Owings and now Leake. In my opinion, it's clear the organization is putting a premium on guys who who are complete baseball players who compete hard. Love the pick. __________________ "Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

06-09-2009, 07:35 PM	#5
OnBaseMachine Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 34,656	Re: Mike Leake I like this pick. Baseball America compares Leake to Tim Hudson because of his small frame and repertoire. __________________ I miss Adam Dunn.

06-09-2009, 07:41 PM	#6
reds1869 We Need Our Myths Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Overlooking GABP Posts: 4,163	Re: Mike Leake Great pick. Leake will be with the big club sooner than most of the other top pitchers on the board. As another poster mentioned, he has a high floor and is almost a lock to contribute solidly at the MLB level.

06-09-2009, 07:47 PM	#8
chicoruiz Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,663	Re: Mike Leake BA mentions that while he is able to dial his fastball up to 94 on occasion, he's found that it gets better movement at 88-92. Sounds like a guy who's actually had a thought or two... __________________ "In baseball, you don't know nothin'"...Yogi Berra

06-09-2009, 08:12 PM	#9
Joseph Tired of talk. Win! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8,123	Re: Mike Leake Someone explain to me why this is a better TALENT pick than Crow or White. I'm ignorant when it comes to amateur ball for the most part, but this guy didn't excite me when announced. I was sure it would be Crow. __________________ Championships for MY teams in my lifetime: Cincinnati Reds - 75, 76, 90 Chicago Blackhawks - 10 University of Kentucky - 78, 96, 98, 12 Cincinnati Bengals - None Chicago Bulls - 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98

06-09-2009, 08:17 PM	#10
membengal Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baltimore Posts: 8,380	Re: Mike Leake The gist seems to be that he's more projectable. I like the part about the plus plus command of all four of his pitches that was in one of the write-ups. No mechanical issues. Absolutely ridiculous good numbers in a tough Pac 10 league. 150 Ks in 132 innings tells me that he isn't a "guile" pitcher. He's nasty. The big issue seems to be his height, and, frankly, I am not one who gets bothered by that.

06-09-2009, 08:23 PM	#11
Blitz Dorsey Party like it's 1990 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,319	Re: Mike Leake I think the Reds did a good job here. I wanted Crow, but I'm happy with Leake if that makes any sense.

06-09-2009, 08:25 PM	#12
Rojo Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: The Bush Leagues Posts: 8,423	Re: Mike Leake Guys like Leake are great pickups -- if they fall in the draft. For an early first-round, I don't like.

06-09-2009, 08:30 PM	#14
defender Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 277	Re: Mike Leake I like the philosophy of building a team with a defense that catches the ball and pitchers that don't walk batters.

06-09-2009, 08:39 PM	#15
Caveat Emperor Titanic Struggles Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The 513 Posts: 12,135	Re: Mike Leake His scouting report reads like a guy who has already reached his ceiling. In no way does this read like "best player available" -- it reads like "player who will make it to the bigs quickest." __________________ Championships Matter. 22 Years and Counting...

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