Star pitcher for Arizona State University …
Mike Leake had what is known as a dominant college pitching career. Three years, 40 wins compared to only six losses, helping the Arizona State Sun Devils win three Pac-10 titles, and appearing in two College World Series. And in his final season, when he led the nation with 16 wins and garnered a number of awards, he also laid claim to being named the Academic All-American of the Year.
Former teammate of Stephen Strasburg’s …
But when Leake was drafted in 2009, he wasn’t the top pick. Who was? A certain individual named Stephen Strasburg. You may have heard of him. Mr. All Everything, who, as predicted, will soon be making his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. As USA Today reports, Leake was once teammates with Strasburg, on his 11-year-old traveling team. And what does Leake remember about him? As he’s quoted, “He was overweight, pouty and used to cry. He did a complete 180.” Leake, meanwhile, was picked eighth in that 2009 draft, by the Cincinnati Reds.
Who went straight to the big leagues and has yet to lose …
Not only was Leake overshadowed by Strasburg, but in spring training, he was overshadowed on his own team by Aroidis Chapman, a pitcher who had defected from Cuba and was signed by the Reds for $30 million, thanks to a fastball that reaches triple digits. But here’s the thing: neither Strasburg nor Chapman have reached the big leagues yet. Leake? He started the season with the Reds, having never pitched an inning in the minor leagues, and he’s currently 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA, and probably the best rookie pitcher so far. And he just happens to be the first starting pitcher since Jim Abbott in 1989 to go from college to the big leagues. How has he done it? As Leake is quoted in USA Today: “I always thought I could do it, even if nobody else did. I just have some weird inner confidence that gets me going.”
Photo by bsstahl via Flickr.