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Jack Leiter

Jack Thomas Leiter (born April 21, 2000) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was selected by the Rangers with the second overall pick of the 2021 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Jack Leiter
Texas Rangers – No. 35
Pitcher
Born: (2000-04-21) April 21, 2000 (age 24)
Plantation, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 18, 2024, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through September 20, 2024)
Win–loss record0–3
Earned run average9.74
Strikeouts30
Teams

Early life

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Raised in Summit, New Jersey, Leiter attended Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, where he played baseball and was teammates with Anthony Volpe.[1][2] In July 2018, he played in the 2018 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game.[3] In December, he played on the USA Baseball 18U National Team in Panama City during the 2018 COPABE Pan-American Championships, helping Team USA win a gold medal.[4] As a senior at Delbarton in 2019, he was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of New Jersey.[5][6][7] At the time of his selection, he was 6–0 with a 0.54 ERA while also batting .364.[5] Leiter was considered a top prospect for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, but due to his strong commitment to Vanderbilt University, was not selected until the 20th round by the New York Yankees, but did not sign.[8][9][10]

College career

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He attended Vanderbilt University to play college baseball.[11][12] In his college debut on February 18, 2020, Leiter pitched five no-hit innings while striking out 12, leading Vanderbilt to a 3–0 victory over the University of South Alabama.[13][14][15] He was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Co-Freshman of the Week following the performance.[16][17] Over 152⁄3 innings, Leiter went 2–0 with a 1.72 ERA before the college baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] As a redshirt freshman in 2021, Leiter returned as a member of Vanderbilt's starting rotation.[19] On March 20, 2021, he pitched a no-hitter in his SEC debut against South Carolina, compiling sixteen strikeouts.[20] In his next start, he pitched seven no-hit innings against Missouri.[21] He was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year alongside being selected a consensus first-team All-American.[22][23] He helped lead Vanderbilt to the 2021 College World Series finals and was named to the All-Tournament team.[24] Leiter ended the 2021 season having started 18 games, in which he compiled an 11–4 record, a 2.13 ERA, and 179 strikeouts over 110 innings.[25] He was named the Baseball America 2021 Freshman of the Year.[26]

Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues

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The Texas Rangers chose Leiter with the second overall selection in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[27][28][29] Leiter signed with Texas on July 28, 2021, receiving a $7.92 million signing bonus.[30][31] Leiter attended an organization draftee orientation at the Rangers spring training complex after signing, but did not appear in a professional game in 2021, instead choosing to return to Vanderbilt to continue college course work.[32]

Leiter opened the 2022 season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League.[33] He made his professional debut on April 9, going three innings while allowing one run and striking out seven batters.[34][35] He was selected to represent the Rangers at the 2022 All-Star Futures Game.[36] Over 23 games (22 starts) with Frisco, Leiter went 3–10 with a 5.54 ERA, 56 walks, and 109 strikeouts over 92+2⁄3 innings.[37] He received a non-roster invitation to major league spring training in 2023,[38] and returned to Frisco to open the season.[39] Leiter once again struggled in 2023, including spending almost two months out of game action on the development list.[40] With Frisco, he went 2–6 with a 5.06 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 81+1⁄3 innings.[41] He finished the 2023 season with one start for the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.[42] Leiter returned to Round Rock for the beginning of the 2024 season.[43] After the season, he won the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award.[44]

Texas Rangers (2024–present)

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On April 18, 2024, the Texas Rangers selected Leiter’s contract and promoted him to make his major league debut that day against the Detroit Tigers.[45] In his debut game, he allowed eight hits and seven earned runs with three strikeouts in 3+2⁄3 innings to earn a no decision as the Rangers ultimately won against the Tigers 9–7.[46]

Personal life

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Leiter's father, Al Leiter, pitched in MLB for 19 seasons.[47] His uncle, Mark Leiter, and his cousin, Mark Leiter Jr., have also played in MLB.[48]

Leiter graduated from Vanderbilt in December 2023 with a degree in human and organizational development.[49]

References

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  1. ^ Rosenstein, Mike. "MLB Draft 2021: N.J.’s Jack Leiter, son of ex-Yankees, Mets pitcher Al Leiter, tumbles in latest ranking of top prospects", NJ.com, May 13, 2021. Accessed May 13, 2021. "Leiter, the Summit, N.J. native who played high school ball for the Delbarton School in Morristown, is 7-2 this season with a 2.10 ERA in 11 starts."
  2. ^ NJ.com, Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media for (June 6, 2019). "HS teammates & Yankees' draftees: Volpe & Leiter's paired baseball journeys roll on". nj. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "2018 Under Armour All-America Road to Wrigley - Jack Leiter". Baseball Factory. July 11, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  4. ^ "Witt Jr., Leiter lead Team USA to 8th straight 18U title". MLB.com. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Delbarton School Student-Athlete Named Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year" (PDF). Gatorade.com. May 23, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  6. ^ "Delbarton righty Jack Leiter named Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year". Daily Record. Morristown Daily Record. May 23, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  7. ^ Hall, Erik (April 2, 2021). "Jack Leiter: 5 things to know about the Vanderbilt baseball pitcher, son of Al Leiter". Daily Record. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  8. ^ "Delbarton duo Leiter, Volpe could be selected in first round of MLB Draft". USA TODAY High School Sports. June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  9. ^ Havsy, Jane. "New York Yankees select Delbarton pitcher Jack Leiter, son of Al Leiter". Daily Record. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  10. ^ Feinsand, Mark (June 6, 2019). "Yanks pick Leiter's son". MLB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Sparks, Adam. "Al Leiter's son reportedly turns down MLB to play for Vanderbilt baseball". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  12. ^ Zedalis, Joe (June 5, 2019). "Baseball: Delbarton's Jack Leiter tells MLB clubs he is going to Vanderbilt". nj. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  13. ^ Sparks, Adam (February 18, 2020). "Jack Leiter tosses five no-hit innings, strikes out 12 in Vanderbilt baseball debut". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  14. ^ "Jack Leiter: Ex-MLB star's son strikes out 12 in college debut". UPI. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  15. ^ Botte, Peter (February 19, 2020). "Jack Leiter, Al Leiter's son, absolutely dominated in Vanderbilt debut". New York Post. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  16. ^ "Vanderbilt's Leiter Named Conference SO-Freshman of the Week". SI.com. February 24, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  17. ^ "Leiter, Brennan earn conference pitching honors". Nashville Post. February 24, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  18. ^ "Vanderbilt's Jack Leiter Making Plans for the Summer". SI.com. March 18, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  19. ^ Maun, Tyler (March 7, 2021). "Vandy's Leiter dominates -- again". MLB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  20. ^ Terranova, Rob (March 20, 2021). "Leiter K's 16 in complete-game no-hitter". mlb.com. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  21. ^ "Vandy's Jack Leiter follows no-no with 7 more hitless innings in win vs. Missouri". ESPN. March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  22. ^ Healy, Joe; Cahill, Teddy (June 17, 2021). "2021 College Baseball All-Americans: First, Second, Third Teams". Baseball America. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  23. ^ Gerson, Aria (May 24, 2021). "Leiter, Rocker, Bradfield headline All-SEC selections for Vanderbilt baseball". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  24. ^ Gerson, Aria (July 11, 2021). "Texas Rangers select Jack Leiter of Vanderbilt baseball with No. 2 pick in 2021 MLB Draft". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  25. ^ Rosenstein, Mike (June 29, 2021). "MLB Draft 2021: N.J.'s Jack Leiter, son of ex-Yankees, Mets pitcher Al Leiter, goes out a winner at College World Series". NJ.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  26. ^ Cahill, Teddy (August 17, 2021). "Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter Become First Teammates To Win Player, Freshman Of The Year In Same Season". Baseball America. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  27. ^ Braziller, Zach (July 11, 2021). "Jack Leiter goes second overall by Rangers in 2021 MLB Draft". New York Post. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  28. ^ Prieto, Victor (July 11, 2021). "Jack Leiter joins exclusive Vanderbilt baseball company after being drafted 2nd overall by Texas Rangers". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  29. ^ Grant, Evan (July 11, 2021). "How Texas Rangers pick Jack Leiter became the best pitcher of the 2021 MLB draft". Dallas News. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  30. ^ "Texas Rangers sign Jack Leiter as No. 2 overall pick reportedly gets $7.9 million bonus". CBSSports.com. July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  31. ^ Kelly, Matt (July 28, 2021). "No. 2 overall pick Leiter signs with Rangers". MLB.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  32. ^ Grant, Evan (July 28, 2021). "'You're the guy': Rangers sign No. 2 pick Jack Leiter, giving clearer picture of Texas' future". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  33. ^ Bigley, Zach (March 31, 2022). "Rangers Release RoughRiders 2022 Break Camp Roster". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  34. ^ Weaver, Levi (April 9, 2022). "Jack Leiter's pro debut lived up to the hype, even if it was only 3 innings". The Athletic. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  35. ^ Sheehan, Stephanie (April 9, 2022). "'Long time coming': Leiter strikes out 7 in pro debut". MLB.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  36. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (July 7, 2022). "Here are the 2022 Futures Game rosters". MLB.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  37. ^ "Jack Leiter Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  38. ^ Postins, Matthew (January 28, 2023). "Rangers Invite Top Prospects to Spring Training". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  39. ^ "Rangers' Jack Leiter: Repeating Double-A level". cbssports.com. March 29, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  40. ^ "Rangers' Jack Leiter: Returns to development list". CBSSports.com. July 15, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  41. ^ Landry, Kennedi (September 3, 2023). "Heralded prospect Leiter showing 'real improvement'". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  42. ^ "Texas Rangers Prospect RHP Jack Leiter Promoted to Round Rock". MiLB.com. September 23, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  43. ^ Coyle, R.J. (March 31, 2024). "Texas Rangers pitching prospect Jack Leiter impresses in 2024 debut at Triple-A Round Rock". Dallas News. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  44. ^ Avallone, Michael (October 2, 2024). "Here are the 2024 Triple-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  45. ^ McKessy, Jack (April 18, 2024). "Jack Leiter, former No. 2 pick in MLB Draft, to make his MLB debut with Rangers Thursday". USA Today. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  46. ^ Kornacki, Steve (April 18, 2024). "Leiter's 'surreal' MLB debut a 'special day from start to finish'". MLB.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  47. ^ Braziller, Zach (June 2, 2019). "Jack Leiter shares dad's gifts but may choose own road to majors". New York Post. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  48. ^ Havsy, Jane (July 11, 2021). "New Jersey's Jack Leiter goes to Texas, taken No. 2 overall in 2021 MLB Draft". Daily Record. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  49. ^ Landry, Kennedi (February 15, 2024). "After completing his degree, Leiter has a bigger goal in '24". MLB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
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