Leasure Has Strong Case To Be White Sox Closer, Grifol Has Other Plans

With his performance this spring, Jordan Leasure has pitched well enough to earn a spot on the White Sox Opening Day roster. In the process he is also making a compelling case to be the team's closer.

The 25-year-old entered White Sox camp as one of 30 non-roster invitees. In seven games of Cactus League action, Leaure has yet to allow a run. In 6.2 innings he has racked up seven strikeouts and allowed just two hits and a pair of walks.

Pedro Grifol was asked about Leasure being used as a potential ninth-inning option despite the fact he has yet to pitch in the big leagues. Grifol says Leasure has what it takes to be closer since he throws strikes, has a sharp breaking ball, and has good composure on the mound. However, don’t expect Grifol to name a closer anytime soon.

“I don’t really tackle closing. I tackle leverage,” Grifol explained to reporters on Saturday. “If it happens that other guys tackle leverage prior to him and he’s the last man standing in the ninth, so be it. But I’m not going to bypass a leverage situation with anyone to worry about the ninth inning. We have to get past the eighth to pitch the ninth. The ninth is really important, they break your heart. But so is the eighth.” 

Pedro Grifol on Jordan Leasure, who hasn’t pitched in the majors, as a potential ninth-inning option. pic.twitter.com/njCCjDySbe

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) March 16, 2024

This is a very sensible approach from Grifol, especially when you consider the state of the White Sox bullpen. Gregory Santos served as the White Sox primary ninth-inning man last season, but he was flipped over the offseason in a trade that netted the White Sox Zach DeLoach and Prelander Berroa from the Mariners.

Now the White Sox bullpen competition is wide open. Plenty of young arms will get a chance in a variety of different roles this season. As things currently stand the White Sox don't have a clear-cut closer. Of the relievers on the current 40-man roster, Tim Hill leads the way with four career saves. John Brebbia figures to be another late-inning option, but only has two career saves. Michael Kopech's recent move to the bullpen presents another intriguing option.

The team is not expected to win many games and with the lack of star power in the bullpen, Grifol is going to have to get creative with who he deploys.  Leasure entered camp embracing the opportunity to pitch in high-leverage situations.  

“I like that role. I like high-leverage situations,” Leasure told MLB.com after his first Cactus League appearance of the spring.  “But there’s a lot of guys in this clubhouse that have done that in the past. Even if it’s them, learn something from them through their years of doing it. It’s all learning. It’s all good things that can be taken away.

“There are a lot of guys here fighting for a few spots, but I think I have a pretty good chance. As long as I go out there and do my thing, if they think I can be a part of this team and help, I’m all for it. If not, somewhere down the line this season I’ll be called up and be ready.”

Last season Leasure logged 11 saves in the minor leagues. He also has the stuff to be an effective weapon out of the bullpen. Opponents hit just .169 off of him in 29 games in Double-A Tulsa. Upon getting traded to the White Sox organization he was immediately promoted to Triple-A. Leasure didn’t fair as well in Charlotte. In 13.1 innings of work, he posted a 6.08 ERA and 1.80 WHIP while opponents hit .286 off him. While his Triple-A numbers were ugly the White Sox are not putting much stock into them. He has shown this spring his stuff can play in the MLB.