Charlie Leesman

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #11 prospect in 2013
  While the White Sox used 12 rookie pitchers in 2012, Leesman spent a full season in Triple-A as one of the International League's top starters. He might have been Chicago's 13th rookie pitcher if he hadn't torn up his left knee while covering first base during the IL playoffs, an injury that required surgery and will put him behind to start 2013. He finished second in the IL with a 2.47 ERA while improving his control and command from the previous season. Leesman has reached double digits in victories in each of his four full pro seasons since signing for $50,000. He has succeeded by mixing four pitches, including a changeup that's a plus offering at times, but his 86-89 mph fastball is a caution sign for scouts. His fastball has late life and sink, and hitters don't barrel it consistently despite its lack of velocity. He also throws a curveball and cutter, though neither is a swing-and-miss pitch. When Leesman misses with his pitches, he tends to miss down, as he has surrendered just 23 homers in 603 pro innings. He doesn't profile as more than a No. 4 or 5 starter, but he's ready for the opportunity to show whether he can hold down that role with the White Sox.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #14 prospect in 2012
  It might be time for the White Sox to throw Leesman into the deep water and see if he can swim. He handled a full season in Double-A last year, running his record as a pro to 37-18 after winning just six games in three college seasons at Xavier. Signed for $50,000 as an 11th-round pick in 2008, he continues to impress scouts as a savvy lefthander with four pitches and claimed a spot on the 40-man roster in November. Leesman's fastball sits in the high 80s, spiking to 90 mph, and sets up a plus changeup that he throws in the mid- 70s. He uses two breaking balls, with his slider a better pitch than his curveball, but both need work. He also has learned a cut fastball that helps him against righthanders. Leesman moves the ball around well and rarely loses track of the strike zone. Some scouts project him as a back-of-the-rotation starter in the big leagues, but Chicago isn't sure if he has the secondary pitches to succeed with marginal velocity. He'll compete for a job in spring training and might get his first opportunity in the bullpen, though he'll likely open 2012 in Triple-A as a starter.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #11 prospect in 2011
  There's nothing flashy about Leesman, but he has advanced quickly by never backing down from a challenge. An unsigned 40th-round pick of the Twins out of high school, he won just six games in three years at Xavier and posted a 5.32 ERA as a junior. Drafted on the basis of his arm strength, he has found more success as a pro. He received a nonroster invitation to big league camp in 2010 before splitting the season between high Class A and Double-A--doing his best pitching after his promotion. Leesman has a good mix of pitches but pitches behind in the count too much. His bread and butter is an 88-92 mph fastball that has some natural sink. He has improved his slider and his changeup and has learned to mix in a few cutters. The slider has late bite and could develop into his out pitch. He also throws a curveball that has loose rotation. Leesman is equally effective against lefthanders and righthanders, and the White Sox will keep developing him as a starter. His makeup is an asset but he'll have to improve his command to carve out a major league role. He got knocked around in the Arizona Fall League, compiling an 11.81 ERA in 11 relief innings, but still stands out as one of the few legitimate pitching prospects in the upper levels of the system.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #27 prospect in 2010
  Led by Gordon Beckham, Brent Morel, Dan Hudson and Jordan Danks, the White Sox's 2008 draft is looking like a good one. It will be even better if Leesman can continue to make strides like he did last season, when he led the South Atlantic League with 13 wins. Leesman attended Xavier after the Twins selected him in the 40th round out of high school, and he showed more stuff than results in college. The White Sox drafted him in the 11th round mainly because he touched 93 mph with his fastball at Xavier's scout day. Leesman is only now really learning how to pitch. The Sox credit his strong showing in 2009 to improved command of his fastball, which sits in the low 90s and has exaggerated sink, producing a lot of grounders. That pitch alone makes him tough on lefthanders. Both his breaking ball and changeup are below-average offerings at this point, though his work in instructional league hinted that they may be coming around. With Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard traded in the Jake Peavy deal, Leesman is the organization's most advanced lefthanded starter prospect. He's still raw in many ways, however, and shouldn't be rushed. He could open 2010 in Double-A if he has a strong spring training.