MM's Top 25- #16 LHRP Jack Leathersich

#16 LHRP Jack Leathersich (LR: #6)
Bats: R Throws: L
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 205 lb
Age: 23
Acquired: 2011 Rule 4 Draft, 5th round, University of Massasschusetts- Lowell

2013: (AA/AAA) 4-0, 4.63 ERA, 3 SV,15.7 K/9, 6.9 BB/9, 1.646 WHIP
2012: (A/A+) 2-6, 3.00 ERA, 2 SV, 14.1 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, 1.153 WHIP
2011: (SS-A) 0-0, 0.71 ERA, 1 SV, 18.5 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, 0.711 WHIP

All right...All right....I may have gotten a bit carried away with the Leather Rocket in our last ranking when I posted him at #6. RP's just don't warrant to be that high in a prospect list. 2013 was a tale of two seasons for Leathersich; In Binghamton, he was lights out with a 1.53 ERA a ridiculous 55 K's in 29 innings. However, once he was promoted to Las Vegas, his ERA exploded to 7.76 and while he racked up 47 more K's in an additional 29 innings, he also walked 29. That's just not going to fly at the next level.

There is hope though, as Zack Wheeler eluded to in his interview with John Harper of the New York Daily News, the lack of humidity makes it extremely tough to grip baseballs which in turn leads to wild control bouts. Generally a lengthy adjustment period is usually needed in order to combat this issue and 29 innings is surely not enough time. His deceptive delivery will get another shot to pitch in Vegas but it may not be long before he gets the call to the MLB since he does not have to worry about fellow lefties Josh Edin and Scott Rice.

Leathersich is one of those rare breed of relief pitchers who actually carries reverse platoon splits. Against right handed hitters Leathersich held them to a .181 AVG and a .292 SLG in 2013 and .162/.237 in 2012. In comparison, lefties own a .329/.408 line against him in 2013 and posted a .267/.337 line in 2012.  While the splits are very pronounced his performances at all levels before Vegas suggest that he could be an 8th inning guy no problem but he'll have to reign in the control in order to do it.


Anticipated Assignment: (AAA) Las Vegas High Leverage Reliever
Ceiling: Premier MLB late inning reliever (8th inning guy) 
Floor: Premium Right handed One Out GuY (7th inning ROOGY)

BONUS: Here is some footage just to show you how difficult it is to pick up the ball out of his hand.