What Went Wrong With Mike Leake?

In 2010, a young, 23-year-old RHP out of Arizona State named Mike Leake, was competing for a starting spot in the Cincinnati Reds rotation.

He was primarily competing against the Cuban Native, Aroldis Chapman. Leake was not expected to win a spot in the rotation during Spring Training, but, he did indeed win it.

During Leake's rookie year, he had great success, especially considering the fact that he had never played a minor league game. He started 22 games, went 8-4, and put up a 4.23 ERA.

The following season, in 2011, Leake started 26 games and put up a 12-9 record, along with a 3.86 ERA. You could see improvement in #44.

However, last season Leake struggled. He did manage to start 30 games, but his record was below .500, he was 8-9 (.471), and his ERA was higher than it had ever been, throughout his whole life (4.58).

This season, as other pitchers like Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Jonathon Broxton, and Homer Bailey are enjoying Spring Training, Mike Leake is back to competing for a spot in the rotation. Once again, he is competing against Chapman, primarily.

People have wondered what exactly went wrong with Mike Leake? How did he go from a great #5 pitcher, to a guy who will be lucky to be an ace in AAA?

Well, there are a few reasons, but the main reason is the fact that in 2012 he could not use his splitter effectively.

In 2010, batters hit .272 off of his splitter, .274 in 2011. Those were the two years in which he had success. In 2010, he threw the splitter 1028 times, 682 times in 2011. Last season, he threw it 917 times. Batters hit .338 off the splitter in 2012. The worst of all his pitches.

It went from being very reliable to a very risky pitch to throw.

However, if Leake really focuses on regaining control of his splitter this Spring Training, he should be back to being a very solid starter. But if he is unable to do so, you can expect him to be a Louisville Bat until he is back to being the pitcher he was in 2010 and 2011.

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Reds Predictions

The Cincinnati Reds will begin their 2013 campaign in less than a month. It's not too early to predict season stats and line-ups, is it? Good, I didn't think so.

Choo (CF): .273, 16 HR, 74 RBI, 14 SB
Phillips (2B): .303, 20 HR, 88 RBI, 20 SB
Votto (1B): .327, 32 HR, 124 RBI, 11 SB
Ludwick (LF): .280, 27 HR, 99 RBI, 6 SB
Bruce (RF): .275, 36 HR, 117 RBI, 12 SB
Frazier (3B): .274, 22 HR, 76 RBI, 5 SB
Cozart (SS): .250, 16 HR, 40 RBI, 10 SB
Hanigan (C): .300, 4 HR, 28 HR, 1 SB
Pitcher spot.

Pitching Rotation

Johnny Cueto: 19 Wins, 2.68 ERA
Mat Latos: 15 Wins, 3.40 ERA
Homer Bailey: 17 wins, 3.11 ERA
Bronson Arroyo: 10 Wins, 3.64 ERA
Aroldis Chapman: 12 Wins, 2.35 ERA


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Aroldis Chapman A Starter?

Aroldis Chapman. He is perhaps one of the most talked about players in all of sports.  He is known for his 105 mph fastballs that strike fear into hitter's hearts.

The Reds have plans on making him a starter, rather than a closer.

In 2012, Chapman was one of the best closers in the National League.  In fact, he finished with 38 saves, 3rd beast in the League. If the Reds wanted to seal the win, Chapman was the guy to go to. In 2012, he set a club record for most consecutive innings without giving up an earned run (29 innings).  That streak lasted from Opening Day until June 7th.

Chapman is without any doubt one of the biggest reasons the Reds finished the season tied with the Washington Nationals for the best record in baseball.

Sure, he was dominate in 1 inning, but can he be dominate in 5+?

He has been a starter before, when he was in Cuba, and in the Minor Leagues, he was a starter.  But there is a big difference between Minor League hitters and Major League hitters.

There is an old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".  Aroldis Chapman certainly wasn't broke.  The Reds are trying to fix him.

I'm not physic, so I can't tell you how good or bad Chapman will be as a starter, or even how long he will be a starter. All I can tell you is that Chapman becoming a starter will be one of the bigger stories in Major League Baseball this year.

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Spring Has Sprung!

GOODYEAR, ARIZ.: The Cincinnati Reds will play their first Spring Training game today, against the Cleveland Indians, who share training facilities with the Reds.  Mike Leake will toe the rubber for game one.
It will be interesting to see: How Mike Leake does in his first start.  He is trying to win a spot in the starting rotation, and so far in his short career, he has been super in Spring Training.  Also, it will be interesting to see how Zack Cozart does coming off of surgery.  Last year he suffered an injury to his left elbow in a game versus the Indians.
You can listen to the game on reds.com


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Reds Predictions

Drew Stubbs (CF): .245, 31 HR, 50 RBI, 46 SB
Zack Cozart (SS) : .290, 20 HR, 44 RBI, 16 SB
Joey Votto (1B): .323, 38 HR, 109 RBI, 9 SB
Jay Bruce (RF): .289, 49 HR, 110 RBI, 4 SB
Brandon Phillips (2B): .295, 27 HR, 90 RBI, 24 SB
Devin Mesoraco (C): .250, 22 HR, 75 RBI, 1 SB
Chris Heisey (RF): .300, 33 HR, 70 RBI, 23 SB
Scott Rolen (3B): .222, 10 HR, 51 RBI, 2 SB
Pitcher spot

That was my predicted line up. Here is what I think it would look like if Ludwick was in LF rather than Heisey

Stubbs
Cozart
Votto
Bruce
Phillips
Mesoraco
Ludwick
Rolen

And this is if Francisco was in for Rolen at 3rd.

Stubbs
Phillips
Votto
Bruce
Mesoraco
Coazart
Francisco
Pitcher
Heisey

Now here is how the line up would look if I was the manager:

Heisey
Cozart
Votto
Bruce
Phillips
Mesoraco
Francisco
Pitcher
Stubbs







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Early Breakdown of the 2012 Cincinnati Reds

The Reds look like the favorites to win the NL Central this
year, but will they live up to their expectations?

The Reds have made a lot of noise this offseason so far, with the additions of Mat Latos, Sean Marshall, Ryan Madson, Ryan Ludwick, and Wilson Valdez.


There is a lot of hype surrounding the Reds, and every fan is excited for what this season may bring.  But will it happen?


If you think about the team on paper, they are a team that could do some serious damage this year.  Since Fielder and Pujols have not only left the Central Division, but also the National League, that makes Joey Votto the best 1st baseman in the NL.  Brandon Phillips is undoubtedly the best 2nd baseman in the NL, and now think about Jay Bruce, he could be the best right fielder in the NL as well.  Those are 3 guys that should be in the All Star Game come July.


The Reds rotation seems promising.  Mat Latos is an ace, as is Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake will be an ace in the near future, then throw in Homer Bailey who is expected to get it all together this year.  Those are 4 starters, but who is the 5th.  Aroldis Chapman will try to start this year, but what if that doesn't work out? No problem, he can be a set up man in the bullpen, and Marshall or Masset would have to do something else, Chapman had way too much talent to not play a good amount of games.  If he is not a starter, then the Veteran pitcher with the golden locks will come in.  I'm talkin' about Bronson Arroyo.  Arroyo was fantastic back in 2010 when the Reds won the Central, but he had a very mediocre and disappointing season last year. He gave up more home runs than any other NL pitcher, but don't forget the Reds play at Great American Air Port Ball Park. If he doesn't work out, then long-man, Sam LeCure could pitch.  Out of those 3 men, I'm sure someone will have success on the hill this year.


How about that bullpen?  Last year, the Reds bullpen was very, uh, scary.  Francisco Cordero had fans hating him before the All Star Break, he was way too inconsistent and put you on the edge of your seat every game pretty much.  Well he is gone, and the Reds have one of the best closers in the game, Ryan Madson. The Phillies wanted to keep this guy, but they ended up getting Jon Papelbon.  If the Phillies wanted someone, you know he's gotta be good.  And he is expected to be a top closer in the MLB this year.  Now for Sean Marshall.  He didn't get too much attention from anyone, no one was talking about him, but the Reds made a trade giving up Travis Wood, who has a promising future, in return for this reliever.  Walt Jocketty is very confident that he can get done what he needs to.  We'll see how that goes.  The Reds also reached a deal with Jose Arredondo.  Arredondo was pretty good for the most part last year.  He's not amazing, but he is good enough for the Reds this year.  He can do what he needs to for sure, and chances are, he won't get all that much action this year.  Logan Ondrusek, he is great.  He returns this year as a 3rd year player, so he has experience now, and also some great talent.  Ondusek can be lights out.  Then there's Nick Masset. He is a hold-your-breath kind of guy, much like Cordero.  Just be thankful he is not the closer.


The offense now.  Obviously the Reds gave up a great young player, Yonder Alonso, in that Mat Latos trade, but they still have a lot of weapons.  They will be lead by Joey Votto, who can put up MVP numbers, then Jay Bruce who has the capability of leading the league in home runs, especially playing in GABP.  Brandon Phillips will likely have a good season, as always, hit 20 bombs, knock in a good amount, you can pencil in a 20-20 season for him just about every year.  Zack Cozart is expected to start at short for the Reds this year, over Paul Janish.  Last year Cozy had an abbreviated season due to an arm injury.  But, while he was active, he looked very good.  In only 11 games he hit .324, hit 2 homers, and knocked in 3 runs.  He also looked very solid on defense, he's no Paul Janish, but he'll get the job done.  At 3rd base, a lot of Reds fans, myself included, would like to see Juan Francisco start, but that is unlikely.  Dusty Baker loves starting the guys with experience, that's something the Scott Rolen has a lot of.  The Reds did not re-sign Ramon Hernandez, even after a great 2011 season, instead they will put Devin Mesoraco behind the plate to do the catching duties. Last year "Mez" played in 18 games, had 50 AB's, had a low batting average of .180, hit 2 home runs, and knocked in 6.  If he doesn't work out, then there is still a very solid player that can catch, his name is Ryan Hanigan.  Very good player.


To the outfield we go.  Jay Bruce will obviously start in right field, and I expect him to have a fantastic 2012 season.  Last year Bruuuucccee hit .256, 32 homers, and had 97 RBI's.  This year, I think he'll hit about .280, and lead the NL in home runs with 47, and add 110 RBI's.  I think Jay will have an MVP-type season. Drew Stubbs will probably start in center field.  Stubbs strikes out, A LOT.  I think he will lead all of the majors in strikeouts, but still hit .240, hit 31 home runs, and steal 60 bases.  He will be valuable, but not the guy you want at the plate when the game is on the line.  Why he continually swing at pitches in the dirt, I dunno. In left field it will probably be split time between Chris Heisey and Ryan Ludwick.  I think Heisey will eventually be the everyday left fielder. Heisey had 279 at bats, and had an average of .254 last year.  He also hit 18 home runs and had 50 RBI's.  If he got the chance to play everyday, I think he would shine, hit .290, knock out 32, and drive in a good amount as well.  I honestly think he should  start over Stubbs in the center field, he has the speed to do so.


So, the Reds look promising this year.


My prediction is: The Reds go 92-70, and win the NL Central for the 2nd time in the last 3 years.

Reds Trade Horst For Valdez

Today the Cincinnati Reds traded young pitcher, Jeremy Horst, to Philadelphia in exchange for utility man, Wilson Valdez.  Valdez is a very solid utility man with a strong arm.  Very solid player.

Most Reds fans remember that 19 inning game against the Phils last year, and Valdez was the man who picked up the save.  Yeah.  So if Madson doesn't work out, then Valdez can toe the rubber, eh maybe not. (That was a joke).

The 1st Ever CIN Sports Poll

1.) Kentucky
2.) Missouri
3.) Syracuse
4.) Ohio State
5.) Baylor
6.) North Carolina
7.) Georgetown
8.) Kansas
9.) Duke
10.) Murray State
11.) Michigan State
12.) San Diego State
13.) UNLV
14.) Creighton
15.) Florida
16.) Indiana
17.) Marquette
18.) Virginia
19.) Mississippi State
20.) Saint Mary's
21.) Michigan
22.) Florida State
23.) Connecticut
24.) Harvard
25.) Wisconsin
___________________________
Considered teams (in order):  West Virginia, Cincinnati, Gonzaga, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Iona, Dayton

A Few Thoughts

Okay, on this blog I'll cover the Reds and Bengals, then in college football and basketball I'll cover Kentucky, Xavier, Cincinnati, and Ohio State.  If you noticed, I didn't make a recap for the Ohio State basketball game against Nebraska.  Sorry, but that wasn't much to write about.

First off, let's talk Bengals football.

Just some minor news, the Bengals will get new field turf at Paul Brown Stadium.  This is due to the fact that Training Camp will be held in the Queen City this year, rather than in Georgetown, KY.  Weather or not the endzone or midfield designs will change, I have no idea.  Also, PBS is added an improved sound system in the stadium and will fix up some minor damages around the facility.  The team will pay for 70% of this, the rest will come from that tax payer money.

On to Reds baseball.

Sources say that the Reds have inked veteran, Wilile Harris.  Harris is a utility man, he can play anywhere in the infield.  Harris has played 11 seasons in the bigs, and has a lifetime average of .240.  He last played for the Mets.

Now let's talk some basketball!!!!

Tonight everyone, well a lot of people, in the area will be glued to their TV to see perhaps the biggest and best UC basketball game of the year.  They play host to the 20-1 Syracuse Orange.  The Orange are coming off of their first loss of the season, where they lost to Notre Dame in South Bend.  The Bearcats are also coming off of a loss, where they lost a very close, nail-biting game in Morgantown to West Virginia.  It will be interesting to see how the Cincinnati Bearcats, who love the 3 ball, will do against that 2-3 defense that Syracuse brings to the plate. GO BEARCATS!

Kentucky Withstands Alabama

It was tough, but the Wildcats got the win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, 77-71.


This game came down to the wire.  Not many Kentucky fans expected this tight of a game.  Alabama is a good team, they have some good players and everything, but not many expected them to come within 10 points at Rupp Arena today.  


But they did.


All 5 of UK's started scored at least 10 points, the leading scorer was Terrence Jones who had 15 points, he also had 6 rebounds.  Kidd-Gilchrist had 13, Miller and Davis both had 11, and Teague had 10.  Doron Lamb added 14 points, while Wiltjer, who played just 6 minutes, had 3 points.

Bearcats Lose A Heartbreaker in Morgantown

The Cincinnati Bearcats are on a tough part of the schedule right now.  They are coming off of some big wins, one at Georgetown, one at Connecticut, and today they were playing at West Virginia against former UC coach, Bob Huggins.


Cincinnati had lost just one game since the brouhaha with Xavier, that was to St. John's.  UC also entered the game in 2nd place in the Big East, behind #1 Syracuse, who lost today.


Well, it was a crazy game to say the least.


Well at least the ending to the game.  To put it into words would be like asking a a blind man if a shirt looked good one me. Just not going to work.


The game went into OT where the Mountaineers won the game, 77-74.


UC played a good game though, Kilpatrick, Wright, Dixon, and Gates all scored at least 10 points, Gates had 13 rebounds as well.

Xavier Falls to Dayton

The last time the Xavier Musketeers and the Dayton Flyers met, it was in the Atlantic 10 semi-finals, where UD won a very close, nail-biting, awesome game.  Today, the Muskies were looking for some revenge.  


XU players, coaches, and fans were using that last game against their biggest A-10 rivals as motivation.


Dayton also received some motivation, John Gruden, who quarterbacked at the school, gave the team some motivation.  What a football mind knows about basketball, I don't know.  But it must have worked.


The Flyers had control of this game for pretty much all 40 minutes.


UD won the game 87-72.  


Matt Kavanaugh lead the way for the Flyers, as he had 20 points and 9 rebounds.  He had a good time today.  So did his buddy Kevin Dillard.  Dillard added 16 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds.  Paul Williams added 13 points.


Dayton also had some help from the bench, as Josh Parker netted 16 points.


As for Xavier, Tu Holloway had 21 points and 5 assists, and Mark Lyons had 20 points and 6 assists, they also both had 3 boards each. 


Great production from those two, but the thing that hurts, they were the only Musketeers in double figures. No one else had more than 7 points.


Xavier also struggled from the free throw line, they were 12 of 24.  Dayton hit theirs, they went 22 of 28. 


XU falls to 13-6, and 4-2 in the A-10.  Dayton improves to 14-5 and 4-1 in the A-10.


Next, X will play host to a good Saint Louis team on Wednesday.  Tip-off is set for 7 PM ET and you can catch it on Fox Sports Ohio.