BA GRADE
50
Risk: High
Born: July 12, 1999. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 205. Drafted: HS—Ajax, Ont., 2017 (2nd round). Signed by: Walt Burrows.
The first Canadian player taken in the 2017 draft, Leach is a converted catcher who caught the eye of Twins’ scouts during the spring while touring Florida with the Canadian Junior National Team. That gave the Twins 10-plus looks at him as he grew two inches and packed on 25 pounds of muscle in the months leading up to the draft.
Used sporadically as a closer off the mound as a high school senior, Leach signed for $1.4 million as a second-round pick (slot was $1.85 million). With his frame and repertoire, he draws comparisons to countryman Mike Siroka, a 2015 first-round pick of the Braves. Leach pitches at 90-94 mph, touching 97 mph with his fastball. He also features a sharp-breaking 84-86 mph slider and a present-average curve he throws at 78-80 mph. Now a full-time starter still learning a professional pitcher’s routine, he also shows a good feel for his changeup at 79-81 mph. Due to his conversion and cold-weather background, Leach carries a good bit of projection even after his growth spurt.
Fluent in French and serious and focused off the field, the former junior hockey player shows good mound presence and high-end competitiveness. He repeats his delivery well and has taken steps to correct some pre-draft lapses into drop-and-drive.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
2017 |
Twins (GCL) |
R |
2 |
0 |
3.38 |
5 |
2 |
Minor League Totals |
2 |
0 |
3.38 |
5 |
2 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
CG |
SV |
IP |
H |
HR |
2017 |
Twins (GCL) |
0 |
0 |
13 |
11 |
0 |
Minor League Totals |
0 |
0 |
13 |
11 |
0 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
BB |
SO |
K/9 |
WHIP |
AVG |
2017 |
Twins (GCL) |
6 |
10 |
6.8 |
1.28 |
.220 |
Minor League Totals |
6 |
10 |
6.8 |
1.28 |
.220 |
|