How Butler High grad David Leslie has blossomed into 2025 MLB draft prospect: ‘He’s a pure pitcher’
David Leslie is making up for lost time on the mound.
Since returning from a bicep injury last spring, the 2021 Butler High product has been stellar on the mound, first as a junior for Grove City College baseball in the spring and currently for the Butler Iron Bucks of the Tri-State Collegiate League.
He has found his niche with Grove City and now is attracting attention from high places.
A scout from the San Diego Padres was at a recent game at Pullman Park to watch Leslie pitch.
“We’ve also received calls from the Mets and Guardians about him,” Iron Bucks pitching coach Mike Guenther said. “He’s a pure pitcher, has the body (6-foot-3, 175 pounds) and all the mechanics that could project to the next level.”
The last Grove City College player to reach the major leagues was pitcher Gary Peters, whose MLB career began in 1959 with the White Sox. He won 124 games in a 14-year career.
Leslie struck out the side in the first inning of Thursday’s game against the Butler BlueSox, but heavy rain stopped play an inning later. He was a bit surprised when he realized he was being watched by MLB teams.
“It definitely adds some pressure, but at the end of the day, I have to enjoy (pitching) no matter who is watching,” he said. “I knew I had potential but wasn’t expecting the attention I’m getting.”
Leslie was a late-bloomer as a pitcher. He was on the mound for just one game as a sophomore at Butler in 2019. The 2020 season was wiped out by COVID-19, and due to a partially torn ligament in his throwing arm he was used primarily as a designated hitter his senior season.
Leslie is hoping to build on the very strong effort he had in college for the Wolverines this past season, during which he went 2-0 with a save, striking out 41 and walking just eight in 28 innings with a minuscule ERA of 0.64.
“Even though I missed half the season, I am happy with the results I got,” Leslie said of Grove City’s campaign. “My sophomore season, I had a lot more walks (38 in 75 1/3 innings pitched), and I know my coach wasn’t happy with that. I worked on my control and mechanics, and things have turned out well.”
In a recent victory over the Kiski Valley Vikings, Leslie struck out 10 and allowed just one hit in four innings of work. His needed just 44 pitches.
“His fastball averages 92 (m.p.h.) but has topped out at 94,” Guenther said. “He also throws a curveball and change-up with confidence and is close to adding a slider.”
“I haven’t needed it to this point, but I am working on it,” Leslie said. “That’s what summer ball is for, to work on things. It’s always a good thing when you can add another pitch to get guys out with.”
Major league teams will not be able to make a potential move regarding their interest in Leslie until the 2025 draft and he has a number of things he wants to get done by then.
“I’m looking to get stronger, and hopefully that will translate to the mound,” he said. “I’ve had seasons affected by injuries and I need to stay healthy.”
