Forecasts for Fifteen: Jack Leathersich

[Edgy MD]

My name is Jack Leathersich. I like two things: striking people out and swallowing meals from Chipoltle. And I do both these things in great proportion. I strike out the side. And then I poop. Holy hell, do I poop.

[fimg=550:33f8618c]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1699544!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_970/harper24s-3-web.jpg[/fimg:33f8618c]

I keep my beard trimmed and my bags packed. I'm going to be in New York sooner or later. What do you think happens when I get there?

[Ceetar]

Terry uses you against lefties and you give up a whole lot of bombs.

[Frayed Knot]

Won't start the year in NY but will see time at some point, probably in several short stints and then again in September.
Will look awesome at times but will frustrate with too many walks at others.

[Edgy MD]

I definitely think they're hoping he comes along and grabs a role this season. I see Randy Myers 1988 but not as much time. 44 innings and 3.96 ERA.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Opportunity couldn't be knocking any harder but I'm sure even if he impresses this spring they'll want to look at him perform in Vegas for a month or two unless/until things get really ugly on the LHRP front for us. Injuries etc.

So I'm saying he's with the first group cut, and gets a featured role in Vegas.

Gets a brief audition when Edgin gets gassed, does OK, then up for a longer look in September

0-0, 7 games, 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 K, 2 BB

[Guest themetfairy]

He'll be an impressive midseason call-up.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Legally changes his name to Leatherstich because it's a
cooler baseball name. Agree he'll be up sometime sooner
than later and be well liked in 2015.

[MFS62]

I'd read that the Leather Rocket is a Sid Fernandez kind of lefty strikeout pitcher. His fastball rarely breaks 89 MPH, but his delivery makes it difficult for the batters to pick up the ball easily. The only thing holding him back will be his control. But, as MF said, once he does get called up, he will be impressive, with a very good K/IP ratio. Terry will probably use him as a LOOGY, but I think his delivery will make him effective against righty batters, too.

Later

[Edgy MD]

I haven't read anything that said he had trouble cracking 90. He may end up there, and he does benefit from deception, but what I've read had him in the low nineties early in the season and up to 95 by the midway point.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

We won't espy this'n Leather-stitch until'n the oak-leaves turn ochre, and yonder Laborers cease their labors for a Day. Yarrgh.

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: I haven't read anything that said he had trouble cracking 90. He may end up there, and he does benefit from deception, but what I've read had him in the low nineties early in the season and up to 95 by the midway point.

Maybe different guns when he was timed, but same deception to the observers. As long as he continues to get guys out, I don't care if he throwing 80 MPH like Stu Miller did.
Later

[batmagadanleadoff]

I'd read that the Leather Rocket is a Sid Fernandez kind of lefty strikeout pitcher. His fastball rarely breaks 89 MPH, but his delivery makes it difficult for the batters to pick up the ball easily. The only thing holding him back will be his control. But, as MF said, once he does get called up, he will be impressive, with a very good K/IP ratio. Terry will probably use him as a LOOGY, but I think his delivery will make him effective against righty batters, too. Later

You're on the right track, even if you short changed Leather by a few MPH's

His fastball sits in the low 90's, but his delivery is so deceptive that it gives hitters the impression his fastball looks to come in somewhere in the high 90's.

Here's the whole piece:

With 1 Mets prospect, they have a Sid Fernandez-like option for bullpen
By Mike Vorkunov | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on March 02, 2015 at 9:40 AM, updated March 02, 2015 at 9:58 AM

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In Jack Leathersich, the Mets have an intriguing option for their last bullpen opening. In many ways, he is an ideal fit. Leathersich is left-handed, filling a seeming requisite. He strikes out batters at a ridiculously high rate — at 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings, he led all minor league pitchers across every single level last season. And at 24, he is young enough to become a long-term fixture. "If it all clicks" Frank Viola, the Mets' Triple-A pitching coach, says, "There's that lefty the Mets have been looking for in the big leagues and he's going to be there for a long time." Viola harkens back to the Mets' 1986 team to find a comparison: "I compare him to a lesser man's Sid Fernandez." It is no slight. Fernandez pitched for 15 years in the majors, managed a career 3.36 ERA and made two All-Star teams. But as Viola notes, there is an if with Leathersich. While a prodigious strikeout pitcher, he has been wild at times. Last season, he walked 4.6 batters per nine innings. It is his biggest impediment to a place in the majors. "We'll give him a chance to see if he can get some left-handed hitters out in spring training," manager Terry Collins said. "You look at his numbers, he strikes people out. You look at his minor league career, he strikes guys out. This isn't the minor leagues. I can clear that up real fast. This is a little different game. They're not going to swing at some of that stuff up here until you show me you can get them out in certain places, then they'll start to chase. But they're going to make you throw the ball over first. So we'll give him the opportunities." Yet, Leathersich, a fifth round pick in the 2011 draft, can be that guy if he makes the changes he and the club hope he can. Leathersich can earn a spot because there is no glaring leader for the seventh spot in the bullpen. While the Mets would prefer a second lefthander to join Josh Edgin, it is not a necessity. Dario Alvarez, Sean Gilmartin, and Buddy Carlyle are among some of the pitchers vying for that job. Leathersich has made it a stated goal this spring to lower his walk rate, more focused on throwing strikes than striking out batters. His troubles come from his own doing, Viola says. Leathersich has a tendency to speed up his delivery, leaving him to keep his hips and arms open. The result is too many balls high and out of the strike zone. "He's got the makings of a very, very good reliever," Viola said. "But if he doesn't slow the game down, if it gets too fast for him then he won't have a chance. So there's a fine line there." Leathersich's effectiveness comes despite unassuming tangibles. He is just 5-foot-11 and not overpowering. His fastball sits in the low 90's, but his delivery is so deceptive that it gives hitters the impression his fastball looks to come in somewhere in the high 90's. But he must also add a changeup and tweak his delivery for his curveball, Viola said. And, of course, there is his command. If Leathersich can improve that, before all else, his path to the major leagues will become clearer. "I believe I can get anybody out," he said. "I just need to get ahead of more guys. The strikeouts are obviously cool and whatever but the walks are what are keeping me in Triple-A. Everybody knows that and I know that. That's the goal this year."

http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2015/03/mets_have_a_sid_fernandez-like_option_for_bullpen.html

[Edgy MD]

Worth noting is that Terry Collins managed Fernandez in the minors at two different levels.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Leathersich can earn a spot because there is no glaring leader for the seventh spot in the bullpen.

Boy has baseball changed over the years. Who will be the Mets leader of the 7th bullpen spot this year?

Edited March 2, 2015 by Guest

[Ceetar]

Jack against lefties in 2014 101 batters, .235/.307/.376
against righties 140 batters .217/.307/.292

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Eats like Sid too, that should be noted.