Quotes from Reds senior director of scouting Chris Buckley on top pick RHP Mike Leake:

What can you tell us about Mike Leake?
"He's a very polished college pitcher; throws four pitches. The numbers are just off the charts. He's a very good baseball player. He's one of their better position players. This guy hit the ground running in college. He's a groundball pitcher. We're thrilled to have him."

Do you consider him a future starting pitcher?
"Oh yeah, absolutely."

What does he throw?
"Eighty-eight mp, 93, everyone once in a while 94. Slider, curveball, changeup. He's a very polished guy, low maintenance college pitcher. Those numbers to aluminum bats are pretty scary."

Are you happy or surprised that he made it to No. 8?
"I think if he was 6-feet-2 he would have probably would have for sure gone before us. Dustin Pedroia is 5-feet-8, sometimes they come in smaller packages."

What type of signability do you guys expect from Leake?
"He's pitched his team to the College World Series, so there's nothing we can do with him for a while, anyways. He's on a very good college team and they're still playing."

What is it that he does really well that excites you guys?
"It's his command and how polished he is. He throws four pitches for strikes. He can throw them at anytime. He's an outstanding fielder. He's got an outstanding pickoff move. He has all the intangibles that good pitchers have."

MLB reds, mlb draft, mike leake