Mike Leake
Encyclopedia
Michael Raymond Leake (born November 12, 1987), is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Cincinnati Reds
. He bats and throws right-handed. Leake is the first player since Xavier Nady
, when he was with the San Diego Padres
in 2000, to go directly from the draft to the major leagues, and is the first starting pitcher to accomplish the feat since left-hander Jim Abbott
of the California Angels in 1989. He was also the first Cincinnati Red to do so since the abolition of the Bonus Rule
after the 1965
season (shortstop Bobby Henrich
, pitcher Jay Hook
, and catcher Don Pavletich
, who did so in 1957, were all "Bonus Babies").
and grew up in Valley Center, California
, the son of Chris and Sarah Leake. His brother, Ryan, is four years older than he is. Both his brother and his father call him Mikey. Leake grew up as a Seattle Mariners
fan and idolized Vladimir Guerrero
and Nolan Ryan
among others. He started playing baseball at age 5 by tagging along with his older brother everywhere, to the point where Ryan complained about Mike to his parents. Chris and Sarah Leake convinced Ryan to put up with Mike and teach him how to carry himself both on and off the field.
Leake is listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds in the Reds'
media guide, but he himself admits that he is actually about 5-foot-10, 175 pounds.
During his Junior year, Leake batted .431 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI while compiling a 9–3 record with a 1.87 ERA. The next year he batted .342 with 8 home runs and went 11–1 with an identical 1.87 ERA. His pitching performances those years helped him win the Avocado League Pitcher of the Year twice.
Leake was a two-time All-Avocado League honoree; he was twice named to both the First Team and Second Team. He was named the team MVP his sophomore year, and was selected to the First Team All-CIF
his junior and senior years. He was on the First Team All State those two years as well. Additionally, Leake won the Avocado League's Cy Young Award twice, was selected to the First Team All-Academic Team twice, and earned the Fallbrook High School Principal's Award twice.
, where he majored in management.
but soon became a starter. Over the course of the year, Leake went 13–2 with a save and a 3.69 ERA in his 25 appearances, 13 of which were starts. His 13 wins, the third most in Arizona State
history by a freshman, tied him with his teammate Josh Satow for the Pac-10 lead. Leake also set the Arizona State
freshman record with 127 innings pitched and 94 strikeouts. Those were the sixth most and ninth most in the Pac-10 that year.
He was named to the First Team All-Pac-10. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
named Leake a Third Team All-America
n and a First Team Freshman All-America
n. Additionally, Leake was named to the All-Houston College Classic tournament team and the All-Coca-Cola Classic Team. He was also voted the Most Outstanding Player of the Tempe Regional.
Leake led the Pac-10 with 121.1 innings pitched and was named the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year. He was also named First Team All-Pac-10 and Second Team All-America
by Baseball America
and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
. However, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
named him Third Team All-America
. Leake was also selected to the Second Team All-West Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association
and was a semifinalist for the Roger Clemens Award, given to top NCAA Division I college baseball pitcher of the year. He was also selected to the All-Tempe Regional Team and the First Team Academic All-Pac-10. ESPN The Magazine
made the sophomore an Academic All-District VII selection.
That summer, Leake played for the USA Collegiate National Team
. The team won gold medals at the Haarlem Baseball Week
in the Netherlands
and the World University Baseball Championship
in the Czech Republic
. In those tournaments, Leake appeared 8 times and went 3–0 with a 0.64 ERA. He also hit .236 with a homer and 8 RBI in 55 at bats.
as one of only two Arizona State
pitchers to win 10 or more games for three straight seasons and Raoul Torrez as one of only two to win three straight Pac-10 titles.
For the second straight season Leake won the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year Award, becoming the first ever back-to-back winner and the fourth two-time winner of the award. Also for the second year, he was named First Team Academic Pac-10, Most Outstanding Player of the Tempe Regional, and Academic All-District VIII by ESPN The Magazine
. He won the National Pitcher of the Week award twice and the Pac-10 pitcher of the Week four times. At the end of the season Leake was named National Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association
and became a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
, given annually to the best amateur baseball player, the Dick Howser Trophy
, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
to the national college baseball player of the year, and the National Pitcher of the Year award. He was also named the Academic All-America
n of the Year and was a unanimous First Team All-America
n.
by the Oakland Athletics
in the seventh round (218th overall), but chose instead to attend college. The Cincinnati Reds
re-drafted him eighth overall in the 2009 draft
, which Leake accepted. He received a $2.3 million signing bonus and was signed to a $400,000 contract.
He played for the Peoria
(Arizona
) Saguaros
in the Arizona Fall League
and had a strong spring as a non-roster invitee, winning the Arizona Fall League
Rising Star Award. He competed for the Reds' fifth starter spot and ultimately won a spot on the Reds'
twenty-five man roster amid competition from veterans Mike Lincoln
, Justin Lehr
, and Micah Owings
and young pitchers Travis Wood
and Aroldis Chapman
. Leake's contract was purchased on April 11, 2010. To make room for him, the Reds
optioned Juan Francisco
to the Louisville Bats
, the Reds AAA minor league affiliate. They also designated Pedro Viola
for assignment.
Leake made his major league debut on April 11, 2010 in a 3–1 victory against the Chicago Cubs
. After loading the bases with no one out in the first inning, a very shaky start to his career, he recovered by forcing Aramis Ramirez
to pop out. He then struck out Marlon Byrd
and got Alfonso Soriano
to fly out. After 6 2/3 innings, Leake exited having given up 4 hits and just one earned run. He also contributed two hits of his own. He was later quoted as saying "I always thought I could do it [skip the minor leagues] even if nobody else did. I just have some weird inner confidence that gets me going."
On May 15, 2010 Leake pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs against the St. Louis Cardinals
to earn his fourth career win. With a career record of 4–0 at that point, he became the first Reds
rookie starting pitcher to open 4–0 since Pat Zachry
and Santo Alcala
did so in 1976.
Leake became the first rookie pitcher in Reds'
history to remain undefeated after his 10th start by throwing six innings of shutout ball and allowing just seven hits on May 30, 2010 against the Houston Astros
.
On June 5, 2010, against the Washington Nationals
, Leake threw seven innings to notch his fifth victory, giving up one unearned run in the process. Leake allowed seven hits during the performance, issued no walks, and struck out 5 batters. All the hits, with the exception of the double by Nyjer Morgan
, were singles. Additionally, Leake had two hits and scored a run in the Reds' 5–1 win. With this win, Leake moved to 5–0 in his career and joined Santo Alcala
as the only rookies in Reds history to begin their careers with that record.
Leake began to suffer from shoulder fatigue as the season progressed, and he was eventually put on the disabled list. He did come off the DL in mid September and joined the Reds as part of expanded rosters, but never pitched. Leake did throw a bullpen session late in the month, but was determined to be not ready for pitching in the post season and effectively "shut down" once again. He did see action as a pinch-runner and pinch-hitter in the month after showing his hitting ability during the season.
and Homer Bailey
both went on the DL, and Leake made the rotation out of spring. He won his first two decisions, posting a 5.40 ERA. Leake was optioned to triple-A for the first time in his career on May 14 to make room for reliever Jose Arredondo
to come of the DL. Arredondo's rehab assignment had reached the maximum 30 days, he had pitched well, and was out of options. Leake was called back up on May 28 and started against the Braves, earning the win and pitching six innings of one-run ball. He sported sturrips during his first start back, exciting the more traditional Reds fans.
six American Rag T-shirts worth $59.88 from the Macy's
store in downtown Cincinnati. He was charged with theft, a misdemeanor
in the State of Ohio that carries a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail if convicted. Leake has no known prior convictions. The arrest and following comments hurt Leake's public image. He told the arresting officer his place of employment was "Reds Stadium", not Great American Ball Park. Leake, who happened to have purchased an equal value of shirts earlier from Macy's, claimed he was trying to make an even exchange without talking to employees or going to customer service. Leake pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of unauthorized use of property and entered a court-sponsored diversion program. He was required to complete 30 hours of community service and counseling, upon which his case will be dismissed. Leake apologized and called his mistake "a boneheaded move".
with natural cutting
movement that averages 88 MPH, a curveball
, a changeup
with an average speed of 81 MPH, a cutter
, and a hard, down-breaking slider
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He bats and throws right-handed. Leake is the first player since Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
, when he was with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in 2000, to go directly from the draft to the major leagues, and is the first starting pitcher to accomplish the feat since left-hander Jim Abbott
Jim Abbott
James Anthony Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played for the California Angels, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.He graduated from Flint Central High School and...
of the California Angels in 1989. He was also the first Cincinnati Red to do so since the abolition of the Bonus Rule
Bonus Rule
The Bonus Rule was a rule instituted by Major League Baseball in 1947 that prevented teams from assigning certain players to farm clubs. The rule stipulated that when a Major league team signed a player to a contract in excess of $4,000 , the Major League team was required to keep that player on...
after the 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
season (shortstop Bobby Henrich
Bobby Henrich
Robert Edward Henrich , in Lawrence, Kansas is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played parts of three seasons, from until , for the Cincinnati Redlegs...
, pitcher Jay Hook
Jay Hook
James Wesley Hook is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1957 through 1964, Hook played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets...
, and catcher Don Pavletich
Don Pavletich
Donald Stephen Pavletich is a retired American professional baseball player, a catcher and first baseman for the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox .In 12 seasons he played in 536 Games, had 1,373 At Bats, 163 Runs, 349 Hits, 73 Doubles, 8 Triples, 46 Home Runs, 193...
, who did so in 1957, were all "Bonus Babies").
Personal life
Leake was born in San Diego, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and grew up in Valley Center, California
Valley Center, California
Valley Center is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. The population was 9,277 at the 2010 census, up from 7,323 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Valley Center is located at ....
, the son of Chris and Sarah Leake. His brother, Ryan, is four years older than he is. Both his brother and his father call him Mikey. Leake grew up as a Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
fan and idolized Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a free agent Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter.In , he was voted the American League MVP...
and Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
among others. He started playing baseball at age 5 by tagging along with his older brother everywhere, to the point where Ryan complained about Mike to his parents. Chris and Sarah Leake convinced Ryan to put up with Mike and teach him how to carry himself both on and off the field.
Leake is listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds in the Reds'
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
media guide, but he himself admits that he is actually about 5-foot-10, 175 pounds.
High School
Leake attended Valley Center High School his Freshman and Sophomore years where he started on the Varsity Baseball team. Leake transferred to Fallbrook High School, where he lettered in baseball two years and was co-team captain for the baseball team his senior season. In the two years he attended the school his team won the league title three times. He graduated in 2006.During his Junior year, Leake batted .431 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI while compiling a 9–3 record with a 1.87 ERA. The next year he batted .342 with 8 home runs and went 11–1 with an identical 1.87 ERA. His pitching performances those years helped him win the Avocado League Pitcher of the Year twice.
Leake was a two-time All-Avocado League honoree; he was twice named to both the First Team and Second Team. He was named the team MVP his sophomore year, and was selected to the First Team All-CIF
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
his junior and senior years. He was on the First Team All State those two years as well. Additionally, Leake won the Avocado League's Cy Young Award twice, was selected to the First Team All-Academic Team twice, and earned the Fallbrook High School Principal's Award twice.
College career
After graduating from high school, Leake attended Arizona State UniversityArizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, where he majored in management.
2007
Leake began his season as the closer for Arizona StateArizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
but soon became a starter. Over the course of the year, Leake went 13–2 with a save and a 3.69 ERA in his 25 appearances, 13 of which were starts. His 13 wins, the third most in Arizona State
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
history by a freshman, tied him with his teammate Josh Satow for the Pac-10 lead. Leake also set the Arizona State
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
freshman record with 127 innings pitched and 94 strikeouts. Those were the sixth most and ninth most in the Pac-10 that year.
He was named to the First Team All-Pac-10. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper is a publication based in Arizona that considers itself the "voice of amateur baseball" It is most noted for handing out the following awards: Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year, Collegiate Baseball Coach of the Year, and Collegiate Baseball...
named Leake a Third Team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n and a First Team Freshman All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n. Additionally, Leake was named to the All-Houston College Classic tournament team and the All-Coca-Cola Classic Team. He was also voted the Most Outstanding Player of the Tempe Regional.
2008
Continuing where he left off at the end of his freshman year, Leake went 11–3 with a save and a 3.49 ERA in his 19 appearances, 16 of which were starts. Having totaled 24 career victories through this point in his collegiate career, Leake became one of only nine Sun Devils to reach 20 career wins. He was also one of only three to have done so by their sophomore year. He also batted .340 with 2 homers and 11 RBI in 47 at bats while playing first base, second base, shortstop, left field, center field, and right field. He hit his first career home run against UCLA on May 4, 2008.Leake led the Pac-10 with 121.1 innings pitched and was named the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year. He was also named First Team All-Pac-10 and Second Team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper is a publication based in Arizona that considers itself the "voice of amateur baseball" It is most noted for handing out the following awards: Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year, Collegiate Baseball Coach of the Year, and Collegiate Baseball...
. However, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association is an association of baseball writers, broadcasters, and publicists in the United States...
named him Third Team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
. Leake was also selected to the Second Team All-West Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association
American Baseball Coaches Association
The American Baseball Coaches Association is a baseball coaching organization formed in 1945. It is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level.-History:...
and was a semifinalist for the Roger Clemens Award, given to top NCAA Division I college baseball pitcher of the year. He was also selected to the All-Tempe Regional Team and the First Team Academic All-Pac-10. ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
made the sophomore an Academic All-District VII selection.
That summer, Leake played for the USA Collegiate National Team
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
. The team won gold medals at the Haarlem Baseball Week
Haarlem Baseball Week
The Haarlemse Honkbalweek is an international invitation baseball tournament at the Pim Mulier Stadium in Haarlem, Netherlands...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and the World University Baseball Championship
World University Baseball Championship
The World University Baseball Championship is an under-23 international college baseball competition sponsored by the International University Sports Federation and sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation , which was first held in 2002 in Italy...
in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. In those tournaments, Leake appeared 8 times and went 3–0 with a 0.64 ERA. He also hit .236 with a homer and 8 RBI in 55 at bats.
2009
Leake turned in one of the greatest individual seasons in Sun Devil history during his junior year. He went 16–1 with a 1.71 ERA, 142 innings pitched, and 162 strikeouts, limiting batters to a .193 average, the second lowest in the Pac-10. He threw seven complete games, including back-to-back shutouts, and compiled 26 straight scoreless innings at one point. His 40 career wins tied him for the third most in school history by a three-year pitcher. Leake joined Eddie BaneEddie Bane
Edward Norman Bane is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1976 with the Minnesota Twins. He is currently serving as a Major League Scout with the Detroit Tigers ....
as one of only two Arizona State
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
pitchers to win 10 or more games for three straight seasons and Raoul Torrez as one of only two to win three straight Pac-10 titles.
For the second straight season Leake won the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year Award, becoming the first ever back-to-back winner and the fourth two-time winner of the award. Also for the second year, he was named First Team Academic Pac-10, Most Outstanding Player of the Tempe Regional, and Academic All-District VIII by ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
. He won the National Pitcher of the Week award twice and the Pac-10 pitcher of the Week four times. At the end of the season Leake was named National Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association
American Baseball Coaches Association
The American Baseball Coaches Association is a baseball coaching organization formed in 1945. It is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level.-History:...
and became a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
, given annually to the best amateur baseball player, the Dick Howser Trophy
Dick Howser Trophy
The Dick Howser Trophy, considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, is an award presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association ....
, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association is an association of baseball writers, broadcasters, and publicists in the United States...
to the national college baseball player of the year, and the National Pitcher of the Year award. He was also named the Academic All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n of the Year and was a unanimous First Team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n.
2010
Leake was drafted out of high school in 20062006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
by the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in the seventh round (218th overall), but chose instead to attend college. The Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
re-drafted him eighth overall in the 2009 draft
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
, which Leake accepted. He received a $2.3 million signing bonus and was signed to a $400,000 contract.
He played for the Peoria
Peoria, Arizona
Peoria is a city in Maricopa and Yavapai counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. Located primarily in Maricopa County, it is a major suburb of Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau releases, the population of the city is 154,065. Peoria is currently the sixth largest city in Arizona for land...
(Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
) Saguaros
Peoria Saguaros
The Surprise Saguaros are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona....
in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
and had a strong spring as a non-roster invitee, winning the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
Rising Star Award. He competed for the Reds' fifth starter spot and ultimately won a spot on the Reds'
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
twenty-five man roster amid competition from veterans Mike Lincoln
Mike Lincoln
Michael George Lincoln is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played at Casa Roble High School, American River College and the University of Tennessee...
, Justin Lehr
Justin Lehr
Charles Larry "Justin" Lehr is a Major League Baseball pitcher. Lehr played college baseball at the University of California at Santa Barbara and the University of Southern California.-Professional career:...
, and Micah Owings
Micah Owings
Micah Burton Owings is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher currently pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks....
and young pitchers Travis Wood
Travis Wood
Travis A. Wood , is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He throws left-handed and bats right-handed....
and Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman
Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz is a Cuban-Andorran Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. Chapman bats and throws left-handed. He is listed at 6'4" tall and weighing 195 pounds . He currently holds the record for the fastest recorded pitch speed in Major League Baseball,...
. Leake's contract was purchased on April 11, 2010. To make room for him, the Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
optioned Juan Francisco
Juan Francisco
Juan Ramón Francisco González is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is 6'2, 240 lbs....
to the Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
, the Reds AAA minor league affiliate. They also designated Pedro Viola
Pedro Viola
Pedro Viola is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was called up to the majors on September 2, 2009 after was 2-2 with a 5.47 ERA and converted eight of 11 save chances for the Triple-A Louisville Bats....
for assignment.
Leake made his major league debut on April 11, 2010 in a 3–1 victory against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. After loading the bases with no one out in the first inning, a very shaky start to his career, he recovered by forcing Aramis Ramirez
Aramis Ramírez
Aramis Nin Ramírez is an All-Star Major League Baseball third baseman for the Chicago Cubs.He started his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998, before being traded to the Cubs in 2003. On November 12, 2006, Ramírez signed a five-year deal with the Cubs...
to pop out. He then struck out Marlon Byrd
Marlon Byrd
Marlon Jerrard Byrd , popularly known as The Position or The Possish or Sish, is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs...
and got Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs....
to fly out. After 6 2/3 innings, Leake exited having given up 4 hits and just one earned run. He also contributed two hits of his own. He was later quoted as saying "I always thought I could do it [skip the minor leagues] even if nobody else did. I just have some weird inner confidence that gets me going."
On May 15, 2010 Leake pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
to earn his fourth career win. With a career record of 4–0 at that point, he became the first Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
rookie starting pitcher to open 4–0 since Pat Zachry
Pat Zachry
Patrick Paul Zachry is a former Major League baseball pitcher who had a ten year career from to .-Cincinnati Reds:...
and Santo Alcala
Santo Alcala
Santo Anibal Alcala is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher, born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. He batted and threw right-handed during his baseball career...
did so in 1976.
Leake became the first rookie pitcher in Reds'
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
history to remain undefeated after his 10th start by throwing six innings of shutout ball and allowing just seven hits on May 30, 2010 against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
On June 5, 2010, against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, Leake threw seven innings to notch his fifth victory, giving up one unearned run in the process. Leake allowed seven hits during the performance, issued no walks, and struck out 5 batters. All the hits, with the exception of the double by Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Jamid Morgan nicknamed Tony Plush is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers....
, were singles. Additionally, Leake had two hits and scored a run in the Reds' 5–1 win. With this win, Leake moved to 5–0 in his career and joined Santo Alcala
Santo Alcala
Santo Anibal Alcala is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher, born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. He batted and threw right-handed during his baseball career...
as the only rookies in Reds history to begin their careers with that record.
Leake began to suffer from shoulder fatigue as the season progressed, and he was eventually put on the disabled list. He did come off the DL in mid September and joined the Reds as part of expanded rosters, but never pitched. Leake did throw a bullpen session late in the month, but was determined to be not ready for pitching in the post season and effectively "shut down" once again. He did see action as a pinch-runner and pinch-hitter in the month after showing his hitting ability during the season.
2011
Entering spring training, Leake was considered the sixth man in the rotation, and faced starting the season in the minor leagues. However, Johnny CuetoJohnny Cueto
Johnny Brent Cueto [KWAY-toe] is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.-Minor league career:...
and Homer Bailey
Homer Bailey
David Dewitt "Homer" Bailey, Jr. is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds....
both went on the DL, and Leake made the rotation out of spring. He won his first two decisions, posting a 5.40 ERA. Leake was optioned to triple-A for the first time in his career on May 14 to make room for reliever Jose Arredondo
José Arredondo
José Juan Arredondo is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
to come of the DL. Arredondo's rehab assignment had reached the maximum 30 days, he had pitched well, and was out of options. Leake was called back up on May 28 and started against the Braves, earning the win and pitching six innings of one-run ball. He sported sturrips during his first start back, exciting the more traditional Reds fans.
Macy's shoplifting incident
On April 18, Leake was arrested by the Cincinnati Police for shopliftingShoplifting
Shoplifting is theft of goods from a retail establishment. It is one of the most common property crimes dealt with by police and courts....
six American Rag T-shirts worth $59.88 from the Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
store in downtown Cincinnati. He was charged with theft, a misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
in the State of Ohio that carries a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail if convicted. Leake has no known prior convictions. The arrest and following comments hurt Leake's public image. He told the arresting officer his place of employment was "Reds Stadium", not Great American Ball Park. Leake, who happened to have purchased an equal value of shirts earlier from Macy's, claimed he was trying to make an even exchange without talking to employees or going to customer service. Leake pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of unauthorized use of property and entered a court-sponsored diversion program. He was required to complete 30 hours of community service and counseling, upon which his case will be dismissed. Leake apologized and called his mistake "a boneheaded move".
Repertoire
Leake throws a four-seam fastballFour-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family...
with natural cutting
Cutter (baseball)
In baseball, a cutter, or cut fastball, is a type of fastball which breaks slightly toward the pitcher's glove side as it reaches home plate. This pitch is somewhere between a slider and a fastball, as it is usually thrown faster than a slider but with more motion than a typical fastball. Some...
movement that averages 88 MPH, a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
with an average speed of 81 MPH, a cutter
Cutter (baseball)
In baseball, a cutter, or cut fastball, is a type of fastball which breaks slightly toward the pitcher's glove side as it reaches home plate. This pitch is somewhere between a slider and a fastball, as it is usually thrown faster than a slider but with more motion than a typical fastball. Some...
, and a hard, down-breaking slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
.