Jesse Litsch
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Jesse Litsch
|image=20110805-1086 Jesse Litsch.jpg
|caption=Litsch with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011
|position=Pitcher
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1985|3|9}}
|birth_place=Pinellas Park, Florida, U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=May 15
|debutyear=2007
|debutteam=Toronto Blue Jays
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 25
|finalyear=2011
|finalteam=Toronto Blue Jays
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=Win–loss record
|stat1value= 27–27
|stat2label=Earned run average
|stat2value= 4.16
|stat3label=Strikeouts
|stat3value= 239
|teams=
- Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2011}})
}}
Jesse Allen Litsch (born March 9, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. After working as a batboy for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays,{{cite web|author=Topkin|first=Marc|date=May 14, 2007|title=Litsch caps rapid rise with callup to Toronto|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/14/Rays/Litsch_caps_rapid_ris.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418082815/http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/14/Rays/Litsch_caps_rapid_ris.shtml|archive-date=April 18, 2009|access-date=May 27, 2008|work=Tampa Bay Times}} he was drafted in the 24th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in {{mlby|2004}}, and played from 2007 to 2011, when his career was cut short by injuries. In March 2016, Litsch became the pitching coach for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Professional career
=2007=
On May 15, 2007, Litsch made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays, filling in for the injured Roy Halladay. Over 8{{frac|2|3}} innings (the most innings pitched by any Blue Jay in his debut), Litsch allowed only four hits, with two walks and one run while recording 21 of his 26 outs via groundouts. Litsch became the first Blue Jays pitcher to win his debut since Gustavo Chacín beat the New York Yankees on September 20, 2004.{{cite web|date=May 15, 2007|title=Litsch pitches into 9th, grabs first win in majors debut|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270515114|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227140349/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270515114|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 27, 2024|access-date=May 27, 2008|work=ESPN}} As a result of his performance, Litsch made three more starts with the Jays. He was demoted to Double-A after posting a 0–3 record with a 19.62 ERA in those three starts.
After an injury to A. J. Burnett, the Blue Jays recalled Litsch and he started against Boston on July 15, 2007. He yielded one run on nine hits over 6{{frac|2|3}} innings with two strikeouts and one walk, defeating Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox 2–1.{{Cite web|date=July 15, 2007|title=Blue Jays hold off Red Sox in windy day at Fenway|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270715102|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219003853/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270715102|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2021|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=ESPN|language=en}}
He came home to Tampa Bay on July 31, pitching 6{{frac|2|3}} scoreless innings, giving up seven hits while walking one and striking out two. Litsch finished his first year in the majors 7–9 with a 3.89 ERA and 50 K/36 BB over 20 starts.{{cite web|title=Jesse Litsch Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/litscje01.shtml|access-date=August 21, 2014|work=Baseball-Reference.com}}
=2008–2010=
On May 24, 2008, the same day that Litsch pitched his first complete game and shutout, he also surpassed Jimmy Key's former franchise record by pitching 38 consecutive innings without walking a batter (Key's former mark was {{frac|34|1|3}}).{{Cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=May 24, 2008|title=Litsch pitches shutout against Royals|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080524&content_id=2760671&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528051459/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080524&content_id=2760671&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=May 28, 2008|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=Toronto Blue Jays|publisher=MLB.com}} In 2008, he threw cutters 43.4% of the time, the highest rate in the majors.{{cite web|title=Major League Leaderboards » 2008 » Pitchers » Pitch Type Statistics|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2008&month=0|access-date=April 26, 2010|website=FanGraphs|publisher=}} Litsch finished the 2008 season with a record of 13–9, a 3.58 ERA, and 99 strikeouts.
On April 14, 2009, he was sent to the 15-day DL because of a right forearm strain.{{Cite news|last=MacLeod|first=Robert|date=April 14, 2009|title=Litsch placed on disabled list|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/litsch-placed-on-disabled-list/article1196507/|access-date=December 18, 2021}} On June 9, it was announced that Litsch would undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.{{Cite web|date=June 9, 2009|title=Jays' Litsch set to have Tommy John surgery|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4246575|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=ESPN|publisher=Associated Press|language=en}} He made his first major league start since surgery on June 13, 2010 against the Colorado Rockies.{{cite news|date=June 11, 2010|title=Blue Jays face baseball's hottest pitcher|work=CBC.ca|publisher=|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/blue-jays-face-baseball-s-hottest-pitcher-1.974738|access-date=June 11, 2010}} Litsch struggled against the Rockies in his return from injury. He lasted only 2{{frac|1|3}} innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=June 13, 2010|title=Rockies complete sweep of Blue Jays with 10-3 win|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2010/06/13/rockies-complete-sweep-of-blue-jays-with-10-3-win/|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=The Denver Post|publisher=Associated Press|language=en-US}}
He regained his previous form in his next start against the San Francisco Giants on June 19 by going seven solid innings, allowing three hits in a 3-0 win.{{Cite web|date=June 19, 2010|title=Resurgent Litsch dominates as Blue Jays win|url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/resurgent-litsch-dominates-as-blue-jays-win-1.524211|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=CTV News|language=en}}
=2011–retirement=
Litsch was named the number 5 starter for the 2011 season. He made his 2011 debut on April 6 against the Oakland Athletics, getting the win and giving up six hits and three earned runs while striking out seven.{{Cite web|last=Strong|first=Gregory|date=April 6, 2011|title=Snider homer powers Jays to 5-3 victory Athletics|url=https://www.cp24.com/snider-homer-powers-jays-to-5-3-victory-athletics-1.628004|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=CP24|language=en}} He finished off the season with a 4.44 ERA and a 6-3 win–loss record over 75 innings pitched.
Litsch suffered a setback with his injured right shoulder early in 2012 training camp, and was shut down because of inflammation. He visited surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a full diagnosis that confirmed the inflammation and didn't find any structural damage. Litsch received a platelet-rich plasmas (PRP) injection to help with the healing process. The injection caused an unexpected serious infection, and Litsch was not allowed to throw for six weeks after undergoing emergency surgery.{{cite web|last=Lott|first=John|date=March 4, 2012|title=Jays' Jesse Litsch out for six weeks after emergency surgery|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/baseball/mlb/jays-jesse-litsch-out-for-six-weeks-after-emergency-surgery|access-date=March 16, 2016|work=National Post}} The infection sidelined him for the entire 2012 season.
On October 10, 2012, the Blue Jays announced that Litsch was coming off the 60-day disabled list, but had chosen free agency over an assignment to their Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons.{{cite web|date=October 10, 2012|title=Blue Jays Litsch elects free agency|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/39669226/blue-jays-litsch-elects-free-agency/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221162543/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/39669226/blue-jays-litsch-elects-free-agency/|archive-date=December 21, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2012|work=Toronto Blue Jays|publisher=MLB.com}} In December 2012, it was reported that Litsch was awaiting bone-graft and cartilage replacement surgery from a donor cadaver, and his career was in serious jeopardy.{{cite web|last=Davidi|first=Shi|date=December 20, 2012|title=Ex-Jay Litsch awaiting landmark surgery|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/jessie-litsch-awaits-landmark-shoulder-surgery/|access-date=August 28, 2013|website=Sportsnet|publisher=}} The surgery was performed on January 17, 2013, and Litsch was reported to be hopeful to pitch winter ball in late 2013.{{cite web|last=Cotillo|first=Chris|date=February 17, 2013|title=Former Blue Jay Litsch has cartilage replacement surgery, will miss entire 2013 season|url=http://clnsradio.com/boston-redsox-news/item/6094-20former-blue-jay-litsch-has-cartilage-replacement-surgery-will-miss-entire-2013-season|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522092724/http://clnsradio.com/boston-redsox-news/item/6094-20former-blue-jay-litsch-has-cartilage-replacement-surgery-will-miss-entire-2013-season|archive-date=May 22, 2014|access-date=May 21, 2014|work=CLNS Radio}}
On August 21, 2014, Litsch announced his retirement.{{cite web|last=C.|first=Scott|date=August 21, 2014|title=Former Blue Jays Pitcher Jesse Litsch Retires|url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2014/8/21/6053275/former-blue-jays-pitcher-jesse-litsch-retires|access-date=August 21, 2014|work=Bluebird Banter|publisher=SB Nation}} He threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the Blue Jays-Rays game on September 2, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/dickey-reyes-star-as-jays-crush-rays-8-2/|title=Dickey, Reyes star as Jays crush Rays 8–2|work=Sportsnet|date=September 2, 2014|access-date=September 2, 2014}}
Coaching
After retiring, Litsch coached middle and high school players at a Major League Baseball development center in China. In January 2016, he announced that he would be the pitching coach for the Philippines national baseball team in their February World Baseball Classic qualifier.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/after-seven-surgeries-ex-blue-jay-litsch-taking-up-coaching-challenge/|title=After seven surgeries, ex-Blue Jay Litsch taking up coaching challenge|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=January 26, 2016|access-date=January 26, 2016}} On March 1, 2016, the Bridgeport Bluefish hired Litsch to be their pitching coach for the 2016 season.{{cite web|date=March 1, 2016|title=Jesse Litsch Named Bluefish Pitching Coach|url=http://bridgeportbluefish.com/news/?article_id=1615|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306084509/http://bridgeportbluefish.com/news/?article_id=1615|archive-date=March 6, 2016|access-date=March 9, 2016|work=Bridgeport Bluefish}} For the 2022 season, Litsch was hired to manage the collegiate Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League.{{cite news |last1=Wheaton |first1=Evan |title=Former Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch named new Crosscutters manager |url=https://www.sungazette.com/sports/local-sports/2022/03/former-blue-jays-pitcher-jesse-litsch-named-new-crosscutters-manager/ |access-date=August 10, 2022 |work=Williamsport Sun-Gazette |date=March 15, 2022}}{{cite press release |title=Former Blue Jays Pitcher Jesse Litsch to Lead Cutters in '22 |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/former-blue-jays-pitcher-jesse-litsch-to-lead-cutters-in-22/n-5800683 |access-date=August 10, 2022 |work=OurSports Central |publisher=MLB Draft League |date=March 15, 2022 |language=en}}
Pitch repertoire
Litsch's main pitch was his four-seam fastball (87-93 mph), and could throw a two-seam fastball with considerable movement. He often used a cutter (85-89 mph) and a curveball (73-80 mph), and struggled with command of his changeup (79-82 mph).{{cite web|title=60ft6in - Pitcher Scouting Reports >> Toronto Blue Jays|url=http://60ft6in.com/al-east/toronto-blue-jays/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017124702/http://60ft6in.com/al-east/toronto-blue-jays/|archive-date=October 17, 2012|access-date=May 14, 2013|website=60ft6in}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
{{Baseballstats |mlb=446209 |espn=28764 |br=l/litscje01 |fangraphs=3688 |brm=litsch001jes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Litsch, Jesse}}
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada
Category:Toronto Blue Jays players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Auburn Doubledays players
Category:People from Pinellas Park, Florida
Category:Baseball players from Pinellas County, Florida
Category:Pulaski Blue Jays players
Category:South Florida Panthers baseball players
Category:New Hampshire Fisher Cats players
Category:Dunedin Blue Jays players