Former Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch named new Crosscutters manager
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The Crosscutters have their guy.
With Billy Horton, as well as then-acting manager Jim Gott departing after the 2021 season, Williamsport has hired Jesse Litsch as the club's new manager.
Litsch, 37, was selected in the 24th round of the 2004 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, where he played five seasons from 2007-2011.
"I've played in the big leagues for multiple years, so I have that experience. I know what it takes to get there and I know the ins and outs of the professional life," Litsch said. "Being able to potentially help one, two, five, 10 kids make their experience a little easier when they get in there, that's I think what we're doing."
During his time in the MLB, Litsch appeared in 88 games. In his debut, he pitched 8.2 innings and allowed just four hits and one run. In 2008, Litsch went 13-9 with a 3.58 ERA while tying the American League for shutouts with two.
Prior to his hire with the Crosscutters, Litsch has been serving as the Florida Scouting Director for Prep Baseball Report and has held that position since last January.
After scouting the high school baseball scene in the Sunshine State, Litsch is looking forward to the caliber of talent that'll come through Williamsport this summer, as well as trying to develop the next wave of pro players.
"(I want to) get these kids ready for professional baseball as best as possible, to make the experience when they get into pro ball a little bit easier, the transition a little bit easier," Litsch said.
While this is his first managerial position, Litsch first had a coaching stint at the MLB Development Center in China in 2015.
From there, Litsch got a bevy of experience as a pitching coach, having held positions for the Philippines national team in the World Baseball Classic, as well as the Atlantic League's Bridgeport Bluefish, in 2016. Litsch also held a position with the Atlanta Braves from 2017-18.
The inaugural season of the MLB Draft League resulted in 94 players signing professional contracts. Forty-four were Division I college players, 15 from Division II, 13 from JUCO, nine from NAIA, seven out of high school and six Division III. Thirty-nine players were drafted by MLB clubs.
For the expanded second year of the league, Litsch will lead Williamsport through a hybrid amateur-professional format, the first of its kind with a championship game added to the end of the season.
"Obviously to win a championship is what it's all about, that's what we play for. But first and foremost, the league's about development," Litsch said. "The league is about getting these kids on a platform to be seen, and I think that's the big thing we have to take out of this. If we win a championship, great."
Jeff De La Concha will serve as Williamsport's pitching coach and brings over 12 years of experience through high school, college and summer-league levels. Adonis Smith will be taking hitting coach duties for the Crosscutters.
Opening day for Williamsport is slated for June 2 at Bowman Field against State College. The Crosscutters will play 40 home games, more than ever before.
"Development is key. That's a big word, we're not just developing the baseball aspect but the mental aspect too," Litsch said. "It's something I take very seriously and whatever I can do personally to help these kids, that's what I'm going to do. I have a great coaching staff with me so it's going to be fun for sure, but it will be business and we're going to try and win everything."