Pittsburgh Pirates lose top scout Mike Leuzinger
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Pirates have lost superscout Mike Leuzinger, as the guy who brought Josh Bell into the organization has turned down a contract renewal offer and has left the organization.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Rob Biertempfel, the losing has worn on Leuzinger, who has been here for eight of the past 20 losing seasons.
Biertempfel also notes that the Pirates refused to allow the New York Yankees the opportunity to interview Leuzinger for a position.
Leuzinger was the area supervisor for North Texas and Oklahoma and aside from Bell was also responsible for the Pirates drafting the following players: Robbie Grossman, Vic Black, Tony Watson, Matt Curry, Duke Welker, Casey Sadler, Colten Brewer, Ryan Beckman, Robert Kilcrease and Candon Myles (per Tim Williams, Pirates Prospects).
He also was responsible for Matt Kemp and Andy LaRoche while with the Dodgers.
Just judging by the names above, Leuzinger’s departure is quite the blow to the Pirates’ scouting department.