Threshers Spotlight: Mark Leiter, Jr.

Regardless of his role this season, Mark Leiter, Jr. has dominated on the mound for the Clearwater Threshers.

The right-hander started the year in the bullpen, serving primarily as a long reliever. He picked up the first save of his professional career on April 27, mowing down all three batters he faced in the bottom of the tenth to preserve an 8-5 Threshers win at Tampa.

A week later, the 24-year old was asked to move back into the starting rotation, a role which Leiter has been accustomed to in his young career.

"Obviously I like to be in the rotation, I like to be a starter," Leiter says. "That's what I was comfortable with and that's what I did last year."

Yet, Leiter relished the opportunity to learn in a different role.

"It was definitely a cool experience, and it was a chance for me to learn something that I hadn't really had experience with in the past.

"As you move up you never know what you're going to be, and if I'm in the bullpen now I feel like I'm prepared, that I've gotten a chance to get my feet wet with it. So I'm thankful that I got the opportunity."

Whether working from the bullpen or the rotation, Leiter comes home with a varied repertoire and a deep understanding of the mental side of the game.

Leiter showcases three fastballs - "cut fastball, four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball" along with three offspeed offerings. "(The) changeup's my best offspeed pitch, and I'll flip a curveball in here and there, and then I've got my split to try and put guys away."

Beyond having the ability to throw six different pitches, Leiter possesses a high baseball IQ and the awareness to know when to utilize them.

"I feel like there's a method to having a lot of pitches," he says. "To use them in certain situations and not just throw them just to throw them."

Leiter joined the professional ranks when he was drafted by the Phillies in the 22nd round in 2013 out of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. At NJIT, the righty set a school record with 20 strikeouts in a complete game against Chicago State, the most nationally for any Division I player in 2013.

As a New Jersey native, Leiter grew up attending Phillies games. His father Mark Leiter, Sr. spent 11 seasons in the Major Leagues, including two years pitching for Philadelphia in 1997 and 1998.

In fact, the night before the 2013 draft found the Leiters taking in a Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park - perhaps a prelude to Mark Jr.'s future destination.

"It was a dream come true," Leiter says on getting drafted by Philadelphia. "I love playing for the Phillies and everybody here just treats you so well, and it's just such a great organization."

Having the opportunity to pitch for Low-A Lakewood in 2013 and 2014 was a special privilege in its own right.

"Playing with the Blue Claws was as much fun as I've ever had playing baseball," Leiter says.

"I was living at home, so that was tremendous. And I'm like 18 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic, from the field. They've got like 8,000 people every night, and I went to high school five miles from there.

"I mean, every time I pitched there it felt like I was pitching at home basically, and so many friends and family were able to come see me," Leiter says.

"It was a blessing to have that happen."

Although slightly farther from home this season, Leiter has thrived in Clearwater and has emerged as one of the top pitchers in the Florida State League.

For now, Leiter keeps his focus on the short-term.

"All you can control is what's in front of you, so the only thing to focus on is really your day of pitching," Leiter says.

"Go out there, one batter at a time, and try to keep your success rolling."