Coming to IU as an Indiana All State selection, solid two-way player, and draftee of the Cleveland Indians, Kyle Leiendecker was a huge pickup for Tracy Smith and the Hoosiers. In his freshman year, he started out strong picking up a win against always dangerous LSU. He went on that year to finish 3-0 in a season ended short by injury. After a short freshman year, he left Hoosier fans wanting more. Many, including myself, thought he would step into a weekend starter spot last year. After having difficulty finding the plate in his limited appearances, Leiendecker had a disappointing sophomore season.
After going to California this summer and finishing with a .356 BA and .485 OB%, he had many of the Hoosier faithful behind him again. In the fan picks, he was voted to RF by a considerable margin. Despite his success at the plate, Indiana fans remain intrigued by his potential on the mound. With our lack of returning experience, Leiendecker remains a wildcard. There is no denying that he has one of the strongest arms on the team, but many question if he can live up to his potential. Over his first two years, his stats are as follows:
FR: 7.76 ERA, 3-0, 12 APP, 5 GS, 26.2 IP, 34 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 18 BB, 19 K, .330 B/AVG
SO: 18.00 ERA, 0-0, 5 APP, 1 GS, 4.0 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 9 BB, 3 K, .474 B/AVG
As fans, I think we all are holding out hope that Leiendecker can return to form to pick up some valuable innings for this Hoosier team that lost 3 pitchers to the MLB draft. The team is clearly in dire need of arms to eat up quality innings this spring, but will Coach Smith provide Leiendecker with an opportunity to step in and help fill that pitching void, and will Leiendecker take advantage of the opportunities he does get? What is your take? Do you feel he still has something left to offer on the mound, or should he concentrate on contributing in the outfield and at the plate?
My personal inclination is for Coach Smith to give him a shot, and I think he certaintly will. He possesses the tools and has some experience, and I think there is still some potential there. The Hoosiers rotation would certainly be bolstered by the addition of another quality arm, so to me, giving Leiendecker another opportunity on the mound early in the season makes perfect sense to me. The worst case scenario would be that he struggles as he has in the past and returns to competing for playing time in the outfield. On the flip side, he could take advantage of the opportunity and finally live up to the expectations set for him early in his career.
I know this has been a hot topic of debate among some readers of late, but I am still interested to hear everyone's thoughts on the matter. Go Hoosiers!
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In my opinion, the coaches will look at everyone and leave no stone left unturned. They had the entire team throw a bullpen this fall just to see what might be available--that includes those that haven't been on the mound since they were 13! If anyone can contribute, they may well use them.
ReplyDeleteI think we could use both his bat and arm. I just hope he can throw strikes. If not, I still like him getting a chance in the OF because he has good speed and can make solid contact from the left side.
ReplyDeleteAny suprises from the entire team trowing a bullpen? I know Sabourin and Swift each threw at least one inning last year.
Anyone know how Carr is recovering and if he will be able to pitch this year?
ReplyDeleteLeiendecker as a freshman beat LSU and Fresno State(Away games), the last two College World Series Champs!( Zero runs in 9 innings combined)This summer was the first time he has swung a bat in three years. From all accounts he is a great kid and a great teammate. I think he will find a place to contribute somewhere on the IU diamond this year! Go Hoosiers!
ReplyDeleteHe has great stuff on the mound, I dont see how he cant make it work for him.
ReplyDeletearm is only half of pitching. a lot of it is mental. he is going to need both to make it work. if he does expect a lot of attention from scouts
ReplyDeleteOne Freshman I never saw play in the fall was Knoblauch. Is he hurt?
ReplyDeleteyes you are right... pitching is more mental than physical, and thats what makes the pitching position so tough and that goes unnoticed. you cant just throw anyone on the mound without having a pitching mentality which is totally different than hitting or fielding. if Kyle can find that mental attitude and approach on the mound- he will succeed, if given the chance by coach smith. he is nursering a lower back injury from what i have been told which will limit his practice until the season starts. can be one of the more dominate pitchers in the big ten if given the opportunity, and if he takes the opportunity and runs with it! for us to repeat as champions, kyle is a MUST on the mound. we have outfielders/hitters who can play out there to the same ability he could. its time for kyle to toe up the rubber mound!
ReplyDeleteknoblauch is not hurt i am guessing because sabourin we have at first base he didnt get any playing time in the scrimmages. heard he has the potential to be great and will after learning from sabourin.
ReplyDeleteThen why not see Knoblauch at DH or OF in the scrimmages?
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that--since these were games and not intersquads--he may wish to red shirt? I have no idea what the rules are relation to non-injury red shirts.
ReplyDeleteya that could be the case, which would not count as a year of baseball eligibility. redshirt freshman the following year.
ReplyDeleteleinedecker on the mound!
ReplyDeleteI don't know for sure, but I think that since they were intercollegiate games, if an athlete played, they wouldn't be able to use a non-medical redshirt. Not that this indicates that Knoblauch will be redshirted, but it doesn't burn the possibility of it...
ReplyDeleteya it counts as part of the season, without the record, but if he were to play no redshirt would be allowed. but knoblauch did not play in any of the games so he can still redshirt.
ReplyDelete