Jesse Litsch
| Jesse Litsch | |
|---|---|
| Toronto Blue Jays – No. 51 | |
| Starting pitcher | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| May 15, 2007, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Career statistics (through July 25, 2008) | |
| Win-Loss | 15-16 |
| Earned run average | 4.14 |
| Strikeouts | 109 |
| Teams | |
| |
Jesse Allen Litsch (born March 9, 1985, in Pinellas Park, FL) is an American pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 215 pounds.
Formerly a batboy for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays,[1] he was drafted in the 24th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004. He had a career 3.49 ERA, primarily as a starter in 43 games over 234.1 IP during his first two years in the minor leagues. He then started the 2007 season with the AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats where he posted a 5-1 record and a 0.96 ERA over 6 starts. He allowed 22 hits in 37.2 IP of work, striking out 28 while walking only 7.
On May 15, 2007, Litsch made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays, filling in for the injured Roy Halladay. Over 8.2 innings (the most innings pitched by any Blue Jay in his debut), Litsch allowed only 4 hits, with 3 walks and 1 run while recording an amazing 21 of his 26 outs via groundouts. Litsch became the first Jays pitcher to win his debut since Gustavo Chacin beat the New York Yankees on September 20, 2004.[2] As a result of his performance, Litsch earned three more starts with the Jays. He was demoted back to AA after posting a 1-2 record with a 6.62 ERA in his four starts.
After yet another injury to A.J. Burnett, the Blue Jays recalled Litsch and he started against Boston on July 15, 2007. He yielded one run on 9 hits over 6.2 innings with 2 K's and 1 walk, defeating Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox 2-1.
He came home to Tampa Bay on July 31, going 6.2 innings, only giving up 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2, with no earned runs. Litsch finished his first year in the majors 7-9 with a 3.89 ERA and 50 K/36 BB over 20 starts.
He is currently behind ace Roy Halladay in the Blue Jay's rotation. On May 24, 2008, the same day that he pitched his first complete game shutout[3], he also surpassed Jimmy Key's former franchise record by recording 38 consecutive innings without walking a batter (Key's former mark was 34 1/3)
Pitch repertoire
Litsch has an average velocity fastball, with above-average (excellent) control. Velocity remains in the mid to high 80's and consists of four seam fastballs, two seam tailing fastballs, dipping curve balls, and the occasional changeup. What works so effectively for Litsch is his ability to work the strikezone, with consistent strikes, and getting ahead in the count. Litsch however, needs to more consistently utilize off-speed pitches to highlight the intensity of his fastball - being able to surprise hitters with a slower pitch, and then a much faster pitch. Furthermore Litsch requires in his repetoire, the ability to accurately throw off the plate - on purpose (i.e. advanced pitchers feel, with the pitch count, an up or in, or a pitch in the 'dirt' is required. To add further to Litsch's fastball, his arm-trajectory off the mound may be varied; i.e. arm-slot upon release. Currently Litsch throws overhand, on a straight trajectory. The advantages thus far pertains to increased accuracy, yet with decreased movement, and deception (i.e. predictable direction and location of a fastball); a deceptive fastball (twoseam versus fourseam) thrown from right to left (or vice versa) has far more movement across the plate than a straight fastball (aimed at the outside corner), with downward trajectory, however both pitches may complement an All-Star caliber-type pitcher. Litsch has the means and ability to excel in the area of pitch control, and selection.
External links
References
- ^ Topkin, Marc (May 14, 2007). "Litsch caps rapid rise with callup to Toronto". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Litsch pitches into 9th, grabs first win in majors debut". ESPN.com. May 15, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Litsch pitches first shutout as Blue Jays beat Royals 6-0". AP. 2008-05-24. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
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