Cubs re-sign LHP Jack Leathersich to a minor league contract
According to a report from Baseball America, the Cubs re-signed LHP Jack Leathersich to a minor league contract for the 2017 season.
The Cubs claimed Leathersich off waivers from the Mets last November. The left-handed reliever was recovering from Tommy John surgery and the Mets tried to sneak him through waivers and off the 40-man roster. The Cubs non-tendered him in December and re-signed Leathersich to a minor league contract less than two weeks later.
Leathersich spent this past season in the Cubs’ system and was reportedly in the mix for a September call-up after making five appearances for the I-Cubs.
Leathersich started a rehab assignment on June 20 with the AZL Cubs. In 10 appearances, one start, Leathersich allowed one run on four hits with three walks and 16 strikeouts in eight innings (1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP). Leathersich was activated from the DL on July 22 and added to Double-A Tennessee’s roster.
With the Smokies, Leathersich pitched in 11 games and gave up four runs on 11 hits with four walks and 12 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings (3.48 ERA, 1.45 WHIP).
The Cubs sent the southpaw to Triple-A Iowa on Aug. 21.
Leathersich appeared in five games and gave up one unearned run and no hits while walking six and striking out six in five innings (0.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP).
Leathersich limited lefties to a .080/.179/0.80 slash line with a .259 OPS this past season. Right-handers hit .232/.358/.357 against him with a .715 OPS.
In his first full season in the Cubs system, Jack Leathersich appeared in 26 games, one start, and allowed six runs, five earned, on 15 hits with 13 walks and 34 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.
• Jack Leathersich’s Page on MiLB.com
Jack Leathersich appeared in 17 games for the Mets during the 2015 season before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Leathersich was 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 2.79 FIP.
• Jack Leathersich’s Page on Baseball-Reference