Player Profile: Justin Leeson

Justin Leeson is a Junior at Georgetown University. He was signed by the Braves after having played a week with the Harwich Mariners. Justin enjoyed a good deal of success for the Hoyas this past year, he was voted 3rd Team All-Big East. Leeson hit .325 with 69 hits. He recorded 8 doubles, 5 triples, and 2 home runs. He scored 40 runs and batted-in 21. He posted a very good OPS (.858) and when on base he was 18 for 24 in stolen base opportunities. To cap off his successful season, Justin Leeson was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 39th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

Justin has shown that he has 3 useful tools for a Major League franchise. First, I have timed him 4.38 down to first. That is considered an average time for a right-handed major leaguer, and I know he will run faster before the end of the year. Second, he shows good range in the outfield, and I am confident he will continue to improve going back on a baseball.  Third, he has a nice, compact swing that should translate into hitting for average. In the first slow motion replay, you can see his hands move too far back. This causes a little bit of a loop in Justin’s hand path. He makes the proper adjustment in the same game, he keeps his hands in that hitter’s slot, and he is able to hit a nice line drive to right field. As for hitting mechanics, he does a very good job of setting his hands in the hitter’s slot. While setting his hands, Leeson shifts his weight to his back leg. He then implements a little toe tap for timing purposes. The toe tap is used to start his hands and back leg. He starts his back leg (load leg) early, the same way John Murphy does (shown here). His hands travel to the ball, and Justin makes sure not to roll his wrists early. He keeps his head on the baseball throughout his swing and finishes with a two-handed follow through. Personally, I don’t think anyone is going to be “WOWED” by Justin’s play night-in and night-out. However, Justin always puts himself in the right spots, can bunt, and hustles. There is a lot to be said about a baseball player who plays the game right, and has a good head on his shoulders. Mr. Leeson is joy to watch at Doran Park, and should be drafted in the later rounds in 2013.