YANKEES SIGNED MARK LEITER JR. FOR ONE IMPORTANT PITCH

Great nugget in a Pete Caldera story today. That's why I will always love a legend like Pete. There is always something you take away from his stories that you do not get anywhere else.  

This story has to do with newly acquired Mark Leiter Jr. and his pitch that will be vital for him and the Yankees as we go down the stretch.

Caldera writes:

"Leiter Jr. first threw his version of a split-fingered fastball during a college game at NJIT.

The splitter became more refined during his past three seasons as a Chicago Cub, and it was on prominent display in Sunday’s 10-inning win against the Toronto Blue Jays.

After striking out Joey Loperfido on a splitter to end the ninth, Leiter Jr. fanned George Springer and Alejandro Kirk on splitters to finish a 4-3 victory at Yankee Stadium."

Boone made some stupid comment about Leiter and his split finger fastball and said that the Yankees went after him because of that pitch.  Like, give me a break.  Leiter is a solid all around pitcher.  Boone has a tendency to prop up the wrong things. Just a terrible communicator.

Anyway, Caldera has this stat too which I loved:

"According to MLB Statcast, batters are hitting just .076 against Leiter Jr.’s splitter in 2024, a pitch he throws 33.8 percent of the time, at an average speed of 84.3 mph."

I see great things for this young man.  I hope things pan out for him in the Bronx for sure.