Mark Leiter Jr. Reflects on Bullpen Struggles After Trade to Yankees
Yankees Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. has struggled to find his footing in the Bronx, posting a 6.75 ERA in 11 appearances since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline.
Leiter Jr. was a key member of the Cubs' bullpen last season, posting a 3.19 ERA in 65 appearances. But he has yet to find his groove with the Yankees, allowing 10 earned runs in 13.1 innings pitched.
The 30-year-old pitcher has been used primarily in a setup role for the Yankees, but he has also made two starts. He has allowed at least one run in six of his 11 appearances.
"I'm still trying to find my rhythm," Leiter Jr. said after his latest outing, a 1-run outing against the Red Sox on Saturday. "I'm not making the pitches I need to make, and I'm not getting the results I want."
Leiter Jr. said he is working with pitching coach Matt Blake to improve his command and consistency. He is also trying to adjust to the new environment in New York.
"It's a different atmosphere here," Leiter Jr. said. "The expectations are higher, and the pressure is greater. I'm still trying to get used to that."
The Yankees are hoping that Leiter Jr. can turn things around and become a valuable member of their bullpen. But for now, he is still trying to find his footing in the Bronx.
Leiter Jr.'s Struggles: A Closer Look
Leiter Jr.'s struggles have been evident in several areas:
- Command: Leiter Jr. has struggled to throw strikes consistently, walking 10 batters in 13.1 innings pitched.
- Consistency: Leiter Jr. has been unable to repeat his delivery consistently, which has led to erratic results.
- Pitch Selection: Leiter Jr. has not always made the best pitch selection, which has allowed hitters to get the better of him.
Possible Reasons for Leiter Jr.'s Struggles
There are several possible reasons for Leiter Jr.'s struggles:
- New Environment: Leiter Jr. is still adjusting to the new environment in New York, which is a different atmosphere than what he was used to in Chicago.
- Increased Expectations: The expectations are higher in New York, and the pressure is greater. Leiter Jr. may be trying to do too much, which is leading to mistakes.
- Lack of Confidence: Leiter Jr.'s struggles may be due to a lack of confidence. He may be doubting his abilities, which is leading to poor performance.
What Leiter Jr. Needs to Do to Improve
To improve, Leiter Jr. needs to:
- Improve his command: Leiter Jr. needs to work on throwing strikes consistently. He can do this by working on his mechanics and release point.
- Develop more consistency: Leiter Jr. needs to find a consistent delivery that he can repeat every time he pitches. This will help him to throw more strikes and get ahead of hitters.
- Make better pitch selection: Leiter Jr. needs to be more selective in his pitch selection. He needs to choose pitches that are effective against the hitter he is facing.
Conclusion
Mark Leiter Jr. is still trying to find his footing with the Yankees. He has struggled to find his command, consistency, and pitch selection. But if he can make some adjustments, he has the potential to be a valuable member of the Yankees' bullpen.
Leiter Jr. is a talented pitcher with a lot of experience. He has shown that he can be a valuable asset to a team when he is pitching well. The Yankees are hoping that he can find his groove in the Bronx and help them make a run at the World Series.
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