Mike Leake is no Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg was the #1 overall pick in the 2009 draft. Spending just two months in the minor leagues (to avoid arbitration?) Strasburg made a much hyped debut last night, and it was beautiful. 7 innings pitched, only 2 earned runs. The proverbial cherry?, try 14 strikeouts. His 14 are the second most ever in a debut, (two pitchers are tied with 15). Everyone is aware Strasburg was facing the Pirates, not much different than the AAA minor league teams Strasburg had been obliterating. He throws 98 miles per hour, and has even reached 100. His Change-up sinks like the Lusitania and has a Slurve that moves from the strike-zone's top-right to bottom-left. He made the Pirates look foolish. They had no chance to beat Strasburg. Had he his Change-up not gone 91-mph. Delwyn Young would not have had the pop to hit a homerun and Strasburg probably would have shutout the Pirates. ESPN announced more than a week prior to his debut that Strasburg was pitching. National Stadium was standing room only (now that is amazing). ESPN ran countdowns to his first pitch, MLB Network picked up the game to show the country, and everyone wanted to see the first big league pitch of Stephen Strasburg. Even if Strasburg wanted to avoid the spotlight, he couldn't.
Leake on the other hand, had nearly no hype on his debut. It was the sixth game of the year. Leake did nothing impressive in the minor leagues.....wait, he skipped those. He came straight from Arizona State to the big leagues. He pitched 6.2 innings, garnered 5 k's, and allowed only one earned run. He did not get his first big league win, he only received a no decision. His Fastball goes 89-92, topping out at 92. He has a nice Change-up and a good Slider. He does not overpower, he does nothing to attract the hype that a fireballer like Strasburg does; however, Mike Leake is 5-0. He should have two or three more wins, and deserves every win he does have. His earned runs average is a minuscule 2.22. If it stays that way, He will be much higher than 7th in the National League. He makes every pitch with precision. He is reminiscent of Greg Maddux, who everyone remembers. Leake made his debut and there was hardly a whimper from ESPN or the press. He has taken care of business, but still the spotlight eludes him. Even if Leake doesn't want any attention he deserves it.
In Conclusion: Stephen Strasburg and Mike Leake were selected last year. Strasburg first overall by the Washington Nationals, Leake eight by the Cincinnati Reds. As first-rounders, they should both be expected to perform at a high level. They both have, but Strasburg's sample size is a little smaller. He certainly showed he has the stuff, but so has Leake. Strasburg will be the talk of the town, maybe for the rest of the year. Leake has slipped into Strasburg's shadow, and may remain there for the rest of his career. Leake deserves more publicity than he is getting.....Although I don't see a blog with two followers getting the job done. The news will not turn on Strasburg anytime soon, but it will be exciting to see who loses first.
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