Jack Leiter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, has received a call-up to the Texas Rangers ahead of their series against the Detroit Tigers. The 23-year-old is set to make his first MLB start on Thursday at Comerica Park. After struggling in his first two professional seasons, Leiter has bounced back in 2024 with three solid starts for Triple-A Round Rock. In 14 1/3 innings, he has recorded 25 strikeouts, walked only three batters, and held opponents to a .208 batting average.
During his time on the development list last season, Leiter made some adjustments to his mechanics which have proven to be successful. General manager Chris Young expressed confidence in Leiter’s abilities, stating that if he continues to perform well, he could be an asset to the team. The plan may be for Leiter to continue his success in Triple-A for a while longer to further develop his skills.
Pitching prowess runs in the Leiter family. Jack’s father, Al, had a successful 19-season career in the MLB, winning three World Series rings with the Blue Jays and Marlins in the 1990s. His uncle Mark also had an 11-year career pitching for eight different teams. Jack’s cousin, Mark Jr., has been a reliever for the Chicago Cubs since 2017. The Leiter family has a strong baseball background, and Jack is looking to make his mark in the MLB just like his relatives
