The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Q&A about Reds 1st-round draft pick Mike Leake

Reds take pitcher from Arizona St. in 1st round

Bengals' Maualuga charged with assault
2/11/12
Thomas’ patience finally rewarded
2/11/12
RedHawks stuff Alabama-Huntsville
2/11/12
Commentary: Tressel fans object to ‘disgraced’ tag
2/10/12
Trustees approve OSU compliance office
2/10/12
> More sports headlines

By Staff report 9:37 PM Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Quotes from Reds senior director of scouting Chris Buckley on top pick RHP Mike Leake.

What can you tell us about Mike Leake?

“He’s a very polished college pitcher; throws four pitches. The numbers are just off the charts. He’s a very good baseball player. He’s one of their better position players. This guy hit the ground running in college. He’s a groundball pitcher. We’re thrilled to have him.”

Do you consider him a future starting pitcher?

“Oh yeah, absolutely.”

What does he throw?

“Eighty-eight (mph), 93 (mph), everyone once in a while 94. Slider, curveball, changeup. He’s a very polished guy, low maintenance college pitcher. Those numbers to aluminum bats are pretty scary.”

Are you happy or surprised that he made it to No. 8?

“I think if he was 6-feet-2 he would have probably would have for sure gone before us. (Dustin) Pedroia is 5-feet-8, sometimes they come in smaller packages.”

What type of signability do you guys expect from Leake?

“He’s pitched his team to the College World Series, so there’s nothing we can do with him for a while, anyways. He’s on a very good college team and they’re still playing.”

What is it that he does really well that excites you guys?

“It’s his command and how polished he is. He throws four pitches for strikes. He can throw them at anytime. He’s an outstanding fielder. He’s got an outstanding pickoff move. He has all the intangibles that good pitchers have.”

You said this was a good pitcher draft...

“Yeah, at the top, once you get past (Dustin) Ackley and (Tony) Sanchez, who’s probably the best catcher, it’s much stronger pitching for sure at the top of the draft.”

When you told GM Walt Jocketty you wanted Leake, what was his reaction?

“He was thrilled. First of all, we got the kid (Zachary) Stewart last year from Texas. This guy’s a ground ball pitcher. That’s a good formula here.”

As a college pitcher, do you think he’s going to start higher in the minor leagues?

“I would think so, but again he’s 16-1. So he’s pitched a fair amount of baseball this year. You don’t want to rush him and you don’t want to put him in a situation where you could get him hurt.”

Share this article