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Mike Leake

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Mike Leake
Leake with the Cincinnati Reds in 2014
Pitcher
Born:(1987-11-12)November 12, 1987(age 36)
San Diego,California,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
April 11, 2010, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
September 24, 2019, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
Win–loss record105–98
Earned run average4.05
Strikeouts1,231
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men'sbaseball
RepresentingUnited States
World University Championship
Gold medal – first place 2008 Brno National team

Michael Raymond Leake(born November 12, 1987) is an American formerprofessional baseballpitcher.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theCincinnati Reds,San Francisco Giants,St. Louis Cardinals,Seattle Mariners,andArizona Diamondbacks.

Leake playedcollege baseballfor theArizona State Sun DevilsofArizona State University.The Reds selected Leake in the first round of the2009 MLB draft.They promoted him to the major leagues at the start of the 2010 seasonwithout having him pitch in the minor leagues,making him the 21st player to go straight from the draft to the major league team that drafted him.

Leake pitched for the Reds through 2015, at which point he was traded to the Giants. A free agent that offseason, he signed with the Cardinals. The Cardinals traded him to the Mariners in 2017. He was traded for a third time in his career in 2019 as theArizona Diamondbacksagreed to acquire him at the Trade Deadline.

Early years[edit]

Personal life[edit]

Leake was born inSan Diego,California,and grew up inValley Center,California, the son of Chris and Sarah Leake. Both his brother and his father call him Mikey.[1]Leake grew up as aSeattle Marinersfan and idolizedVladimir GuerreroandNolan Ryanamong others.[2]He started playing baseball at age five by tagging along with his older brother everywhere, to the point that Ryan complained about Mike to his parents. Chris and Sarah Leake convinced Ryan to put up with Mike and teach him how to act both on and off the field.[1]

Leake is listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, in theReds'media guide, but he himself admits that he is actually about 5-foot-10, 175 pounds.[1]

High school[edit]

His freshman and sophomore years, Leake attendedValley Center High School,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. He graduated in 2006.[2]

During his junior year, Leakebatted.431 with 10home runsand 31runs batted in(RBIs) while compiling a 9–3win–loss recordwith a 1.87earned run average(ERA). The next year, he batted.342 with eight home runs and went 11–1 with a 1.87 ERA. His pitching performances those years helped him win the Avocado League Pitcher of the Year award twice.[2]

Leake was a two-time All-Avocado League honoree; he was twice named to both the first and second teams. He was named the team MVP his sophomore year and was selected to the first team all-CIFhis 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 all-academic team twice, and earned the Fallbrook High School Principal's Award twice.[2]

College career[edit]

After graduating from high school, Leake attendedArizona State University,where he majored in management.[3]

2007[edit]

Leake began his season as the closer forArizona State,but soon became a starter. Over the course of the year, Leake had a 13–2 record 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 thePac-10lead. 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 SEC that year.

He was named to the First Team All-Pac-10.Collegiate Baseball Newspapernamed Leake a Third TeamAll-Americanand a First Team Freshman All-American. 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 theTempeRegional.

2008[edit]

Continuing where he left off at the end of his freshman year, Leake had an 11–3 record 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 nineSun Devilsto reach 20 career wins. He also was one of only three Sun Devils 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 againstUCLAon 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 TeamAll-AmericabyBaseball AmericaandCollegiate Baseball Newspaper.However, theNational Collegiate Baseball Writers Associationnamed him Third Team All-America. Leake was also selected to the Second Team All-West Region by theAmerican Baseball Coaches Associationand was a semifinalist for the Roger Clemens Award, given to topNCAA Division Icollege 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 Magazinemade the sophomore an Academic All-District VII selection.

That summer Leake played for theUSA Collegiate National Team.The team won gold medals at theHaarlem Baseball Weekin the Netherlands and theWorld University Baseball Championshipin theCzech Republic.In those tournaments Leake appeared 8 times and had a 3–0 record with a 0.64 ERA. He also hit.236 with a homer and 8 RBI in 55 at-bats.

2009[edit]

Leake plays catch at the2009 College World Series.

During his junior year, Leake 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 joinedEddie Baneas 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 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 theAmerican Baseball Coaches Associationand became a finalist for theGolden Spikes Award,given annually to the best amateur baseball player, theDick Howser Trophy,presented by theNational Collegiate Baseball Writers Associationto the national college baseball player of the year, and the National Pitcher of the Year award. He was also named the AcademicAll-Americanof the Year and was a unanimous First Team All-American.[2]

Professional career[edit]

Cincinnati Reds[edit]

2010[edit]

Leake was drafted out of high school in2006by theOakland Athleticsin the seventh round (218th overall), but chose instead to attend college. TheCincinnati Redsre-drafted him eighth overall in the2009 draft,which Leake accepted. He received a $2.3 million signing bonus and was signed to a $400,000 contract.[4]He played for thePeoria Saguarosin theArizona Fall League,winning theArizona Fall LeagueRising Star Award.[5]

In 2010, Leake competed for the Reds' fifth starter spot and ultimately won a spot on the Reds' twenty-five man roster amid competition from veteransMike Lincoln,Justin Lehr,andMicah Owingsand young pitchersTravis WoodandAroldis Chapman.[6]Leake's contract was purchased on April 11, 2010. To make room for him, theRedsoptionedJuan Franciscoto theLouisville Bats,the RedsAAAminor league affiliate. They also designatedPedro Violafor assignment.[7]Leake became the first player sinceXavier Nady,when he was with theSan Diego Padresin 2000, togo directly from the draft to the major leagues,[8]and is the first starting pitcher to accomplish the feat since left-handerJim Abbottof theCalifornia Angelsin 1989.[9]He also was the first Cincinnati Red to do so since the abolition of theBonus Ruleafter the1965 season(shortstopBobby Henrich,pitcherJay Hook,and catcherDon Pavletich,who did so in 1957, all were "Bonus Babies" ).[8]

Leake made his major league debut on April 11, 2010, in a 3–1 victory against theChicago Cubs.[10]On May 15, 2010, Leake earned his fourth career win.[11]With a career record of 4–0 at that point, he became the firstRedsrookie starting pitcher to open 4–0 sincePat ZachryandSanto Alcaládid so in 1976.[12]Leake became the first rookie pitcher in Reds' history to remain undefeated after his 10th start by throwing six innings of shutout ball on May 30, 2010, against theHouston Astros.[13][14]

On June 5, 2010, against theWashington Nationals,Leake earned his fifth victory.[15]With this win, Leake moved to 5–0 in his career and joinedSanto Alcaláas the only rookies in Reds history to begin their careers with that record.[12]Leake began to suffer from shoulder fatigue as the season progressed, and he was eventually put on thedisabled list(DL). He came 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.[citation needed]

2011[edit]

Leake in 2011

Entering spring training, Leake was considered the sixth man in the rotation, and faced starting the season in the minor leagues. However,Johnny CuetoandHomer Baileyboth 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 relieverJosé Arredondoto come off the DL. Arredondo's rehab assignment had reached the maximum 30 days, he had pitched well, and was out of options.[16]Leake was called back up on May 28 and started against the Braves, earning the win and pitching six innings of one-run ball.[17]

2012[edit]

On May 21, 2012, Leake hit the firsthome runof his career, offMike Minorof theAtlanta Bravesin the fourth inning of a game atGreat American Ball Park.On June 29, 2012, Leake threw his first complete game against theSan Francisco Giantsin a 5–1 victory. Leake made his first postseason appearance in the 4th game of the NLDSagainst the San Francisco Giants. Leake surrendered a leadoff home run to the first batter of the game,Ángel Pagán.The Giants would go on to win by a final of 8–3.

2013[edit]

Leake started 31 games, going 14–7 with a 3.37 ERA and 122 strikeouts over192+1⁄3innings.

2014[edit]

Leake started 33 games, going 11–13 with a 3.70 ERA and 164 strikeouts over214+1⁄3innings.

2015[edit]

Leake began the season as the Reds #2 starter. In 21 starts for the Reds, Leake went 9–5 with a 3.56 ERA.

San Francisco Giants[edit]

Rest of 2015[edit]

On July 30, 2015, Leake was traded to theSan Francisco Giantsin exchange for pitching prospectKeury Mellaand minor league third basemanAdam Duvall[18]as the Giants hoped Leake would help the team as they pushed for a playoff berth. Leake was scratched from his second scheduled start with the Giants due to astrainedhamstring[19]and was placed on the disabled list. On August 22 he was activated from the 15-day disabled list. Leake produced mostly disappointing results for the Giants. He was able to pitch at least six innings in seven of his nine starts but only able to win two of the nine games while posting a 4.07earned run average.

St. Louis Cardinals[edit]

On December 22, 2015, Leake signed a five-year, $80 million contract ($16M/yr) with theSt. Louis Cardinals.[20]He was givenjersey number8, the same number he wore while playing for Arizona State.[21]

2016[edit]

He made his Cardinals debut on April 6 against thePittsburgh Pirates,allowing four runs and seven hits in4+1⁄3IP, resulting in being charged with the loss as Pittsburgh won, 5–1.[22]He earned his first win a Cardinals uniform on May 10 against theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheimin an 8–1 advantage.[23]In consecutive starts against theMilwaukee BrewersandSan Diego Padreson July 10 and 18, he struck out at least ten batters in consecutive games for the first time in his career, after previously having two total ten-strikeout games in 189 starts. Covering his previous48+2⁄3innings, he had struck out 45 batters while walking three.[24]

Overall, Leake struggled in his first season as a Cardinal, posting an ERA of 4.69, his highest ERA of his career. He finished 9–12 in 30 starts. He had the lowestleft on basepercentage of all major league pitchers, stranding only 65.6% of base runners.[25]

2017[edit]

Leake in 2017

At the start of the season, Leake was 5–2 with a 1.91 ERA in 9 starts. From May 29 to August 26, Leake went 2–10. For the season with St. Louis, Leake finished 7–12 with a 4.21 ERA in 26 starts.

Seattle Mariners[edit]

2017[edit]

On August 30, 2017, the Cardinals traded Leake and international signing bonus space to theSeattle Marinersfor Rayder Ascanio.[26]He made his Mariners debut on September 1 against theOakland Athletics,allowing only two earned runs on eight hits and a walk over seven innings to pick up his first win as a Mariner.[27]In five starts with the Mariners, he finished strong with a 3–1 record with 2.53 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 2 walks in 32 innings pitched.[28]

2018[edit]

Leake started 31 games for the Mariners, finishing with a record of 10–10 with a 4.36 ERA in185+2⁄3innings. On May 4 against theLos Angeles Angels,Leake allowedAlbert Pujols' 3,000th career hit. He had the fewest strikeouts per 9 innings in the major leagues (5.77), and he also led major league pitchers in highest contact percentage (84.8%) of batters against him.[29][30]In addition, he led major league pitchers in percent of ballspulledagainst him (47.8%).[31]Twelve batters reached base against him on an error, tops in the major leagues.[32]

2019[edit]

On July 19, against the Angels, Leake took aperfect gamethrough eight innings until allowing a leadoff hit byLuis Rengifo.He subsequently walkedKevan Smith,but got the next three batters out, held the shutout, and the Mariners won 10–0.[33][34]

Leake closed his 2019 season with the Mariners having started 22 games, resulting in a 9–8 record and 4.27 ERA. He had two complete games and had a career-best 1.2 BB/9 during his 137 innings prior to being traded to the Diamondbacks.

Arizona Diamondbacks[edit]

On July 31, 2019, Leake was traded to theArizona Diamondbacksin exchange forJosé Caballero.[35]Between the two teams, he led all major league pitchers in home runs allowed, with 41, and in hits, with 227.[36]

2020[edit]

On June 29, 2020, Leake became the first player in MLB to announce he would not participate in the shortened2020 seasonduring theCOVID-19 pandemic.Leake's agent,Dan Horwits,stated the decision was "not easy" for Leake and that he expected to play in 2021.[37]

On October 28, 2020, the Diamondbacks declined an $18 million option on Leake's contract for the2021season, instead paying him a $5 millionbuyout,and he was declared a free agent.[38]

Personal life[edit]

Leake and his wife, Catherine, have a son and a daughter together.[39][40]They reside inParadise Valley, Arizona.[41]

On April 18, 2011, Leake was arrested by the Cincinnati Police forshopliftingsix American Rag T-shirts worth $59.88 from theMacy'sstore in downtown Cincinnati, after he removed their price tags and tried to leave without paying for them.[42]He had 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.[43]Leake was charged with theft, a first-degreemisdemeanorin Ohio that carried a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail if convicted. Leake had no known prior convictions.[44]He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of unauthorized use of property and entered a court-sponsoreddiversion programand was required to complete 30 hours ofcommunity serviceand counseling, upon which his case was dismissed. Leake apologized and called his mistake "a boneheaded move".[45]

In 2013, Leake's father Chris suffered a fall off a roof that left him paralyzed from the waist down. This incident played a factor in Leake's desire to sign with the Diamondbacks before the 2016 season, and ultimately asking to be traded there at the 2019 trade deadline.[46]

Repertoire[edit]

Leake throws asinkerballthat averages around 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), acurveball,achangeupwith an average speed of 81 miles per hour (130 km/h), acutter,and asliderat around 85 miles per hour (137 km/h).[47]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcMike Leake Isn't Pitching Like a Reds RookieArchivedSeptember 29, 2012, at theWayback Machine
  2. ^abcde"Leake's ASU Bio".Thesundevils.cstv. November 12, 1987. Archived fromthe originalon April 20, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  3. ^"Mike Leake Player Page | MiLB Stats".Web.minorleaguebaseball.Archivedfrom the original on April 6, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  4. ^"The Baseball Cube transactions page".Archivedfrom the original on August 10, 2010.RetrievedApril 19,2011.
  5. ^"MLB 's Mike Leake Page".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on September 6, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  6. ^Mark Sheldon (March 25, 2010)."Reds anoint Leake as fifth starter".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  7. ^Final/13Tue, Sep 27 (November 4, 2010)."Leake's ESPN Player Page".ESPN.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ab"Reds' Pitcher Leake to Skip Minors, Debut Sunday".Content.usatoday. April 10, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on February 5, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  9. ^Hertz, Marc (June 2, 2010)."Mike Leake Doesn't Need the Minors, Thank You Very Much".Tonic.Archivedfrom the original on August 8, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  10. ^"Reds' Mike Leake has a solid major league debut".Content.usatoday. April 11, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on September 19, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  11. ^"Leake's CBS Player Page".Cbssports.Archivedfrom the original on October 12, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  12. ^abPat Zachry Knows What Mike Leake is Going ThroughArchivedSeptember 29, 2012, at theWayback Machine
  13. ^Nightengale, Bob (June 2, 2010)."Rookie Mike Leake bypasses minors, pitching like Reds' ace".Usatoday.Archivedfrom the original on May 4, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  14. ^Jesse Sanchez."Two of NL's Young Surprises to Battle in DC".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  15. ^"Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals – Box Score – June 05, 2010".ESPN. June 5, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on October 12, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  16. ^"Leake optioned as Arredondo joins Reds | reds: News".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  17. ^Cox, Chris (May 28, 2011)."MLB Gameday | reds: Gameday".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
  18. ^Haft, Chris (July 30, 2015)."Giants acquire righty Leake from Reds".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on August 2, 2015.RetrievedJuly 30,2015.
  19. ^"Mike Leake to miss Friday start, replaced by Ryan Vogelsong".ESPN. Associated Press. August 6, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  20. ^Langosch, Jenifer (December 22, 2015)."Cardinals sign pitcher Leake to 5-year deal: Righty has made at least 30 starts in four consecutive seasons".MLB.Archivedfrom the original on January 30, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 26,2016.
  21. ^"Mike Leake agrees with Cards, looks forward to rivalry with Cubs".ESPN.December 22, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on January 30, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 26,2016.
  22. ^"Leake loses Cardinals' debut as Pirates complete sweep".USA Today.Associated Press. April 7, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on April 8, 2016.RetrievedApril 16,2016.
  23. ^Saxon, Mark (May 11, 2016)."Mike Leake and the Cardinals' infield finally strike the right chords".ESPN.Archivedfrom the original on May 13, 2016.RetrievedMay 12,2016.
  24. ^Saxon, Mark (July 18, 2016)."Mike Leake, Cardinals' rotation finding another gear".ESPN.Archivedfrom the original on July 22, 2016.RetrievedJuly 23,2016.
  25. ^"Major League Leaderboards » 2016 » Pitchers » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball".Archivedfrom the original on December 25, 2018.RetrievedDecember 25,2018.
  26. ^"Seattle Mariners acquire Mike Leake from St. Louis Cardinals".August 30, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on August 31, 2017.RetrievedAugust 31,2017.
  27. ^Divish, Ryan (September 1, 2017)."Mike Leake pitches seven innings in Mariners debut, 3-2 win over Oakland".Seattle Times.Archivedfrom the original on September 3, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 2,2017.
  28. ^"Mike Leake Stats | Baseball-Reference".Archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2017.RetrievedDecember 13,2017.
  29. ^"Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Plate Discipline Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball".Archivedfrom the original on December 27, 2018.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
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  32. ^"2018 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Situ | Baseball-Reference".Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 3,2019.
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  37. ^"D-backs' Leake opts out of playing 2020 season".June 29, 2020.
  38. ^"D-backs Decline Options on Leake, Rondon, Guerra".
  39. ^"Fun-loving Leake looks for a good fit with Cardinals".St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 13, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on October 6, 2018.RetrievedApril 21,2018.
  40. ^"Leake's paralyzed father weighed heavily in righty's offseason choice".Fox Sports.February 18, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on April 22, 2018.RetrievedApril 21,2018.
  41. ^"Productive MLB pitcher Mike Leake has VC ties (Part 2 of 2) | Valley Roadrunner".August 13, 2020.
  42. ^"Cincinnati Reds' Mike Leake arrested, accused of stealing six shirts worth $59.88".April 18, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on December 27, 2018.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
  43. ^Brown, David."Report: Mike Leake paid for shirts, was trying to make exchange – Big League Stew – MLB Blog – Yahoo! Sports".Sports.yahoo.Archivedfrom the original on May 1, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.
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  46. ^"Mike Leake returns to Arizona after years of almost playing for Diamondbacks".
  47. ^"Mike Leake Player Page | FanGraphs Baseball".Fangraphs.RetrievedSeptember 28,2011.

External links[edit]

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