Leiter definitely should be in line to start next year, two great RP performances, a shaky start where he was pressing, then this game.
He has solid stuff, 90-93 with some movement on the FB and then the arsenal of offspeed stuff, especially the changeup/cutter that drops off the table.
Just a matter of consistently, but unlike Velasquez and Pivetta, he has the pitches, just needs to refine them and sharpen his comman.
Makes me think of Eickhoff last year, not going to overpower, but when he was on, he was pretty hard to hit, but Leiter has a better FB and changeup, but not nearly as good a curve.
Everyone wants those power pitchers, but right now the Phillies need two or three innings eaters, once you've got a respectable 5 man rotation, then the young fireballers can take their time developing and push everyone down the ladder when they're ready. But the inning eaters keep you in ball games and save your bullpen. Leiter has a shot at being one of those guys, he's a bit older, but guys who do it on guile tend to be older. I'd like to see Eshelman get some starts and see if his stuff can play up in the Show.
This team is going to hit next year, whether it's Hernandez/Galvis or Kingery/Crawford, Williams/Hoskin/Altherr/Herrera in the middle, and your catchers can give you 20 HRs from the 8th spot.
So you just need some consistent pitching to be a .500 team.
