Cleveland Guardians 2023 prospect scouting report: #23 RHP Jack Lefwich
Cleveland Guardians 2023 prospect scouting report: #23 RHP Jack Lefwich
The one-time “fireman” is anything but a journeyman after his performance in 2022? Where does the talented right-hander go now
Build, Background, and Delivery
Originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers from TNXL Academy (the same school as Jacob Zibin) in in the 39th round of the 2017 MLB Draft he chose to honor his commitment to Florida. He was draft eligible in the abbreviated 2020 draft but returned to school for 2021. Leftwich was drafted in the 7th round (216th overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft, he received a $167,000 signing bonus to join the organization. The reliever turned starter has a well proportioned broad shoulder durable starter's frame at 6’4, 220. He utilizes a short inverted “L” with a three quarters delivery. There is effort to his delivery with first base side fall off and previous knee “lock” concerns which had generated prior reliever concerns.
What Leftwich does well
The former Gators righty posses a three pitch mix sitting 92-95 with his fastball and touching 96-97 at times in the past. He utilizes low-to-mid 80s changeup. Leftwich rounds out his repertoire with a devastating slider which appeared in 2022 as two variants; a tighter spinning slider and a plus flashing sweeping slider. The right-hander sets up hitters with his sweeping slider flashing both glove side horizontal run and vertical sink. He deploys it with ill intentions generating swing and miss on the hands of both right and left-handed hitters. Despite the aforementioned effort/delivery and landing concerns Leftwich showed plus control in 2022 consistent with past performance.
Where Leftwich needs to improve
Reaching his ceiling as a starting pitcher will be dependent on the development of a third pitch. Leftwich has an underdeveloped changeup that he sparsely utilized in college because of infrequent usage - need as a reliever in college. Continuing to build innings, log starts, and gain experience as a starter will be a foundational objective for 2023. Were his results in 2022 an aberration or reality?
Intangibles
The right-hander was a "fireman" of sorts for the Florida Gators in college filling whatever role that was asked of him. He was team-oriented and took the pill from the hill whenever given then opportunity. As such, Leftwich left Florida as an under utilized arm talent that Cleveland will seek to continue to unlock. Prior experience as a reliever gives the righty a high floor with potential as a high setup man. However, his command and two above-average pitches make him a viable starting pitching candidate.
Future
He was dominant at Low-A and High-A last season, but was often older than his competition. The backlog of starting pitcher’s within the organization could delay his opportunity to reach Double-A Akron. That being said he should get his opportunity in Akron (at some point) this season and the righty could just be hitting his stride as a starter. Ultimately it comes down to this: prove it - will he continue to dominant against more advanced competition in 2023 and beyond?
Role- 45 fourth/fifth starter potential outcome, third starter possibilities and a high floor as a high setup man.