Brent Leach

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #21 prospect in 2009
  Leach, who had Tommy John surgery in college before transferring from Southern Mississippi to NCAA Division II Delta State, also has to deal with hyperhidrosis, a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. He gets treatment with mild electric shocks to his hands. He's overcome both maladies to earn a spot on the 40-man roster. Limited in 2007 by a torn lat (side) muscle, Leach--who led the Pioneer League with a 2.43 ERA in 2005--began last year by repeating high Class A, but he earned a promotion just a month into the season and took over as closer in Jacksonville. Leach throws a 90-92 mph fastball with an average curve and a changeup that improved last year to where it can be considered a plus pitch. He also has an excellent pickoff move. His weakness is command, which is the result of an inconsistent delivery, and it continued to be an issue in the Arizona Fall League. If Leach can improve his control, he has the stuff to reach the majors as soon as 2009.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #18 prospect in 2007
  Leach began his college career at Southern Mississippi, but he broke down and had Tommy John surgery in 2003. He transferred to nearby Delta State, where he was used primarily at the back of the bullpen. He suffers from hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating in the palms--which is decidedly inconvenient for a pitcher. His condition improved by having mild electrical shocks applied to his hands. He led the Pioneer League in ERA in 2005 and began 2006 in the low Class A rotation. Once he moved to high Class A, he went back to the bullpen, where he best profiles. Leach has a physical frame and two strong pitches in an 89-91 mph fastball that can touch 93 and a plus breaking ball at 78-81. He delivers his breaking ball from the same slot as his fastball and it has hard, late break. It's his greatest asset and is a legitimate strikeout pitch against lefties. He has some feel for a changeup. Leach has below-average command and his delivery isn't pretty. His arm slot is slightly lower than it was in college, which has aided his effectiveness against lefties. He also has an outstanding pickoff move and led the minors with 22 pickoffs last year. As a situational lefty or middle reliever, Leach could move quickly, and might begin 2007 in Double-A.