Jack Leftwich found success in a new role in 2021

Tyler Nettuno
·2 min read

Name: Jack Leftwich

Number: 23

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher

Class: Junior (COVID-19)

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 220 lbs

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

High School: TNXL Academy

Twitter: @Jacklefty21

2021 statistics:

G

GS

W-L

IP

H

R

BB

K

ERA

WHIP

24

6

7-4

69.2

54

28

22

78

3.36

1.09

Overview:

Leftwich was a big-time recruit in the class of 2017, ranked as the No. 45 player in the country and the No. 7 overall player in the state of Florida. The Orlando native was drafted in the 39th round out of high school by the Detroit Tigers, but he decided to enroll at UF and play college baseball under Kevin O’Sullivan instead.

He started the 2018 season in the bullpen, but a 1.78 ERA earned him a starting role. He ended up starting 12 games as a true freshman, finishing with a 5-5 record and 4.20 ERA. He began his sophomore season in 2019 as a weekend starter, appearing in 13 games. Injuries limited him, and though he struggled at times, he had a 1.77 ERA in his final three appearances.

Leftwich entered 2020 as one of UF’s top-two starters alongside Tommy Mace, and he made four appearances in weekend starts before the season was canceled. He was 2-0 in those games with a 4.15 ERA.

Though he was expected to leave after the season, he returned to Florida after he wasn’t selected in the shortened five-round MLB draft. He began the 2021 season as a weekend starter once again, but he was up-and-down in that role. He eventually transitioned into a closer role, which improved his play. He finished with a 7-4 record and a career-best 3.36 ERA.

Though many thought this would be his final season in Gainesville, now it seems likely that he will return for one more season, either to solidify himself as a closer or attempt to earn back a starting job.

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