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Born: January 7, 1984
Puyallup, WA
Height:
6-4
Weight: 220
Bats:
Left
Throws: Left
Drafted:
2nd Round, 2002
How
Acquired:
Draft
High School:
Bellarmine
Preparatory School (WA)
Photo ©
Kelly O'Connor
Links
Player Retrospective: The rise of the $155... (12.11.14) |
Traded with Jonny Gomes to
Oakland for Yoenis Cespedes (July 2014)
Scouting Report:
Very athletic left-hander. Four-seam fastball sits around 93-95 mph and
tops out around 97 mph. Also has a two-seamer with good movement. Lester
also utilizes an above-average changeup, an 11-to-5 curveball that sits in
the high-70s, and a nice cutter. Easy delivery motion with good explosion,
similar to Andy Pettitte. Power strikeout pitcher who uses his fastball
and occasionally his curve as his out pitch. While Lester typically has
top-notch control, sporadically he will have games where his command of
certain pitches is really off. Had struggles with consistency early in his
career. Very hard worker who prepares well for each game. Great pickoff
move. Diagnosed with treatable lymphoma in 2006, but returned to the mound
in good health (but not full strength) in 2007 spring training. The
velocity of his fastball returned to form in mid-to-late 2007. After
battling back from cancer, Lester won the deciding game of the 2007 World
Series, and in early 2008, he tossed a no-hitter against the Kansas City
Royals. |
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