White Sox No. 18 prospect having no trouble with the curve

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- Jordan Leasure has never touched 100 mph with his high octane fastball, so that target is in the back of his mind for the 2024 season after topping out at 99.8 mph during his career.

But the No. 18 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline, who was acquired from the Dodgers with Nick Nastrini and Trayce Thompson in exchange for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly, has become a more complete pitcher since joining the South Siders. He focused on his fastball and slider in Los Angeles but has worked a curve into his repertoire.

“Even with the Dodgers, I was searching for a third pitch to have, and they never went to the curve,” Leasure told me during an Arizona Fall League interview. “I was looking more for a change or a splitter and never could quite get it.

“The White Sox said, ‘This will make a lot of sense for you.’ I just bought in and started working as hard as I could to make it a good pitch. It feels pretty good, so it’s going to be a good third option for me, especially in the big leagues where you can’t go against a lot of hitters with only two pitches and have success.”

Leasure, 25, had a chance to work on the curve during his time with Glendale in Arizona. He wasn’t worried as much about numbers during that time, although he finished with a 1.08 ERA and 13 strikeouts against two walks and two hits in 8 1/3 innings.

With general manager Chris Getz and manager Pedro Grifol talking about open competition in Spring Training, Leasure could quickly work his way into high-leverage pitching for the White Sox. Having that powerful fastball makes a difference, but getting sharper with the curve also will help his cause.

“I got it down really good in [Triple-A] Charlotte,” Leasure said. “I started throwing it a little bit there. The first week I got to the AFL, I threw it a bunch in the games. From that moment, I was like, ‘Hey, it feels really good.’ It’s feeling great ever since then.

“Honestly, [it] just opens up a lot more to the left-handed hitters. It’s something that lefties have had more damage against me in the Minors. Having that third option to go to against them has opened that chance to have success against them.”

Since coming to Chicago, Leasure is pleased with his on-field opportunities. He likes what the White Sox are building and getting to play with fellow top young players in Glendale.

“Everyone here has been super welcoming and kind,” Leasure said. “Great getting to know these guys. What they are building right now, it seems like it’s going to be something special. I’m excited to be part of it.”