Reds Young Pitchers Impressive

Tempe Diablo Stadium is row barred into a city block with a western rock formation down the thirdbase line and a view of Superstition and Camelback Mountains beyond the outfiled fences.

Interstate 10 drones on with urban traffic and the campus of Arizona State University is a block away.

Mike Leake, all 5'10' of him, was the big man on campus last year. He was 16-1 with a 1.71 ERA and a first team All-American for the Sundevils.

His height was held against him by many scouts but the Reds drafted him with their first pick. He signed too late to pitch in the Pioneer League. He did pitch against top prospects in the Arizona Fall League.

"It was nice pitching in my second hometown," Leake said. "It was fun pitching to some major leaguers. It was nice facing some people I watched on TV for a long time."

Leake followed the Seattle Mariners and a big Ken Griffey Jr. fan, growing up in San Diego.

Manager Dusty Baker talked earlier this spring about how advanced Leake was for his age.

He threw two scoreless innings agains the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday. He allowed a single and walked hard-hitting,Bobby Abreu.

Leake was upset with himself.

"I don't like walking people. That's my pet peave," Leake said. "Unfortunately, I did in that circumstance. My sinker was working a little too well. I didn't get a feel for it until the second inning."

Leake got himself out of the inning by getting slugger, Kendry Morales to hit into a double play by throwing him a cut fastball in to him.

Leake has now thrown three innings this spring allowing one hit and one walk.

Baker talked to his former Dodger teammate Bob Welch, who assisted Arizona State.

"He has confidence and a great command of the strike zone," Baker said. "Welch told me you're going to like this young man. He keeps the cheese around the knees. What I've noticed about him unlike most young guys, he sees how the hitter reacts to a certain pitch then acts accordingly"

"I've seen young guys throw a breaking ball early in the count, the hitter is way out front, but they never get back to it. Or they're late on a fastball, then throw them something offspeed to let them catch up. Leake won't speed you up if your late on one."