LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock head coach
Chris Curry today announced the hiring of
James Leverton as the Trojans' new assistant coach, overseeing the Little Rock pitching staff.
"
James Leverton is a rising star in college baseball," said Curry. "What he did with the McLennan pitching staff speaks for itself. Winning a national championship under coach Mitch Thompson, having the national pitcher of the year, and seeing the way he develops and teaches, I think our pitchers will be able to connect with him immediately. Their plans of attack will be individualized to their makeup, strengths and mindset. We're very fortunate and excited to have coach Leverton in Little Rock."
Leverton comes to Little Rock after spending the past six seasons at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, serving in a variety of roles. Beginning as a volunteer assistant in 2016, Leverton was promoted to pitching coach in 2019 and was a key component of guiding the Highlanders to three conference championships and a pair of NJCAA World Series appearances, culminating with McLellan capturing the 2021 NJCAA national championship on June 5.
During his time in Waco, Leverton coached eight All-Conference pitchers, three Pitchers of the Year and a pair of second round Major League Baseball Draft picks in Josh Breaux and Connor Phillips. This past season, Leverton worked side by side with Logan Henderson, the 2021 NJCAA Division I Pitcher of the Year, and also mentored former Trojan Justin Garcia, a 2018 MLB Draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Prior to his time at McLennan, Leverton spent seven years in Minor League Baseball with both the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins organizations. From 2008-2010, Leverton played in the Cubs farm system, reaching the AA level with the Tennessee Smokies and being named a 2010 MiLB All-Star. Leverton was a member of the Marlins organization from 2011-14, playing for AAA New Orleans in 2013.
Leverton was an eighth round MLB Draft pick in 2008 after playing three seasons at Texas Tech as a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman. He led the Tech pitching staff in 2008 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 relief appearances, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a first baseman in 2007.
A native of Rockwall, Texas, Leverton received his bachelor's degree in general studies from Texas Tech through McLennan's University Center in 2016.
What They Are Saying About James Leverton:
"James is a dynamic young coach that has a tremendous passion for the sport of baseball. His attention to detail and ability to evaluate make him a home run hire for Little Rock."
- Skip Johnson, Oklahoma baseball head coach
"What a great hire. Coach Leverton embodies the Little Rock baseball mentality of grit and passion for the game. His baseball knowledge is extensive and he knows what it will take to win a championship."
- Justin Garcia, Little Rock pitcher (2017-18), McLennan pitcher (2016)
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