Mike Leake

When the Peoria Saguaros take to the field this fall they will have two of the top 8 players in this years 2009 amateur draft taking the mound for them. Mike Minor was taken number 7 overall by the Atlanta Braves and Arizona State standout Mike Leake was taken number 8 overall. Both are expected to take the rubber for the Saguaros.

Leake, who was the ace of the staff for the Sun Devils this year, will be returning to the state where he made history. Leake played three seasons for ASU and finished with a 40-6 record and 2.91 ERA and struck out 360 while only walking 73. Leake’s most impressive numbers came this last year for ASU as he lead the nation with 16 wins and was second in the nation with an impressive 1.71 ERA. Leake also was named as one of the 5 finalist for the 2009 Golden Spikes award and was named the 2009 CollegeBaseballInsider.com National Pitcher of the Year.

Leake, the top draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds this summer has four solid pitches including a fastball that can reach the mid-90′s. Leake’s strongest asset may be his changeup and his ability to deliver it on any pitch. Leake’s command and his ability to get ground balls keep him out of trouble.

Leake is arguably the best pitcher in ASU’s history. in 2009 Leake became the first back-to-back Pac-10 pither of the year. Leake will return to the Valley for the fall, but don’t expect it to be long before he returns to the Valley to pitch in a regular season game against the D-backs.