Jesse Litsch

2013

There was no outlook written for Jesse Litsch.

2012

Litsch dealt with a shoulder impingement in his pitching shoulder early in the season and filled a long relief role for the Jays upon his return, tossing 75 innings across 28 appearances and making just eight starts. He actually fared pretty well overall but did most of his solid work in a relief role (1.081 WHIP, 9.4 K/9IP in 20 relief appearances). He'll most likely assume a relief role again for the Jays, though he could compete for a rotation spot in the spring depending on how the offseason unfolds. He's a potential sleeper if he can work his way back into the rotation picture but that seems unlikely given his success as a reliever last season.

2011

Litsch joined the Jays in June following Tommy John surgery and struggled in nine starts (3.1 K/9) before undergoing season ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip in August. He should be ready for the start of the regular season, but his offseason rehab could put him slightly behind schedule when spring training starts. He'll compete for a rotation spot.

2010

Litsch hit the DL in April with an elbow injury after just two starts and hit the operating table in June when it was determined that he needed Tommy John surgery. He'll be out until at least the All-Star break, but has shown enough ability (13-9, 3.58 ERA, 1.233 WHIP as a 23-year old in 2008) to warrant a speculative flyer if you're in a keeper format. He'll need to miss a few more bats (4.8 K/9IP in his career) to take the next step up, so hopefully none of his stuff is left on the operating table.

2009

Litsch went 13-9 with a 3.58 ERA in his second season last year. An ugly stretch in July and August earned him a quick trip to Triple-A Syracuse and he appeared to figure some things out down there. A below average strikeout rate (5.06 K/9IP) will need to improve, but the Jays are counting on him to be a big part of their rotation again in 2009.

2008

Litsch spent most of the year in the majors due to injuries and managed what would appear on the surface to be a pretty tidy 3.81 ERA in 20 starts. Hidden amongst the numbers though is a poor 50:36 K:BB rate and a poor K/9IP ratio. He limits the damage by keeping the ball on the ground pretty well, but will find season-long success tough to come by given his inability to miss bats.