GLENDALE, Ariz. — At one point last spring, Jordan Leasure was viewed as a closer candidate for the White Sox. Acquired from the Dodgers with Nick Nastrini and Trayce Thompson for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly on July 28, 2023, Leasure made the Sox’ Opening Day roster and was thrust into high leverage relief appearances by manager Pedro Grifol.
Much was learned. Plenty, Leasure hopes, to be to his benefit.
“Just how to deal with situations,” Leasure, 26, told the Sun-Times. “You get thrown into something sticky, a close game, things sped up. In some ways, I can slow myself down and attack a pitch at a time. Be calmer, more strategic instead of fireballing my way out of out of it.”
A 6.32 ERA in 31 appearances leaves a black mark on Leasure’s resume. He made 25 appearances in April and May, posting a 2.62 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 13 walks in 23 2/3 innings. He would make five more appearances before succumbing to some fatigue, Grifol citing Leasure’s volume of work in “leverage” outings, and was sent to Triple-A Charlotte.
But a shoulder impingement would limit Leasure to three appearances in July and no more after that.
He came to camp feeling healthy, and adding a splitter to his mix. In his first outing of the spring Monday, Leasure pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout, a soft ground ball to shortstop Colson Montgomery and a check-swing short fly to right.
“I feel stronger, more stable mostly in my upper body,” Leasure said said. “A lot of my numbers on the strength test came back better.”
Learning how to deal with injuries and maintenance in 2024 should help him in 2025, but he’ll have to earn a spot in the bullpen.
“He looks really good,” manager Will Venable said. “Getting a lot of feedback from the catchers that he looks really good. And feedback from the hitters that he looks good in his live BPs. He’s a guy who’ll have an opportunity in a bullpen role and what that means exactly we’ll determine here as camp goes on.”
Mentor Bochy sets bar high for Venable
Venable, who was the Rangers’ associate manager the last two seasons, exchanged a handshake and hug with Rangers manager Bruce Bochy behind home plate before the game.
“I hope to be half the manager that he’s been,” Venable said. “The thing with him, he’s really versatile and he does everything really well. Something that really sticks out for me is his communication with players and the way he empowers his staff.”
Venable was alongside Bochy when he won his fourth World Series in 2023.
“He’s just incredible and what he’s accomplished is amazing,” Venable said. “I know he has set the standard for everybody. If we get one, let’s start with one.”
Countdown to Schultz, Smith
Prized lefty prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith are slated for an inning of relief Wednesday against the Padres.
Venable said no message is needed for either first-round draft pick.
“They seem very mature and comfortable,” Venable said. “We’ll see what it looks like Wednesday. I expect them to go out and do their thing, and look the part. They’ve certainly done it in their bullpens and live BPs and I expect the same again.”
· On deck: White Sox at Rockies, 2:05 p.m., Tuesday, Scottsdale. Davis Martin vs. German Marquez