Lefty, Letko Mowing Down GCL

Brian Letko has the lowest ERA of any pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and is amongst the league leaders in the Gulf Coast League in pitching. What can we expect from Letko this year and in the future, and what’s in hold for the southpaw?

Brian Letko began the year in the bullpen for the GCL Blue Jays after he was drafted, but after his first appearance with the GCL Yankees, he was immediately put into the rotation. Letko first appeared on June 19 out of the pen, and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, and three strikeouts.

His next appearance came four days later against the Phillies. He suffered the lost in that game, after allowing two unearned runs, on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. Over his next three outings, Letko has allowed just one more unearned runs in thirteen innings, and just two hits over that period, while striking out eighteen batters.

Letko is extremely effective with runners on base, having allowed just 2 hits in 28 at bats, and 2 hits in 23 at bats with runners in scoring position.

Letko, who was named a second-team NAIA All-American last week, combined for a 26-2 record in his two years with the Eagles, suffering only one loss in each season. He was the ace of the Eagles pitching staff in 2007, which was ranked 13th on the earned run average charts with a 3.39. He led the ERAU hurlers with an 11-1 record and a 2.20 ERA in 17 appearances. He had six complete games and struck out a team-high 80 batters in 98 innings of work on his way to All-Florida Sun Conference and All-Region honors.

Letko should expect to see action in the NY-Penn League by the end of the year. Both him and fellow pitcher James Dougher have proved they are advanced for rookie league action and are both in the top 10 in pitching. Letko is second in the league with his 0.48 ERA, while Dougher ranks tenth with his 1.13 ERA. The southpaw is also fifth in the league with 22 strikeouts.