Jack Leiter, the second overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, has been called up to the Texas Rangers in advance of their series against the Detroit Tigers. The 23-year-old pitcher is set to make his first MLB start on Thursday at Comerica Park. Despite a challenging start to his professional career, Leiter has shown improvement in 2024 with three strong starts for Triple-A Round Rock. In just over 14 innings, he has recorded 25 strikeouts, walked only three batters, and held opponents to a .208 batting average.
Last season, Leiter spent time on the development list where he made some adjustments to his mechanics that have since paid off. General manager Chris Young recently praised Leiter’s progress, stating that if Leiter continues on his current trajectory, he could be a valuable asset to the team in the future. Young mentioned that Leiter’s success in Triple-A is crucial for his development and that he is in the running for a call-up if the need arises.
Pitching talent runs in the Leiter family, as Jack’s father Al and uncle Mark both had successful MLB careers. Al won three World Series rings with the Blue Jays and Marlins, while Mark played for multiple teams over 11 years. Jack’s cousin, Mark Jr., has been in the majors since 2017 and has had multiple appearances with the Chicago Cubs this season. With a strong family history in the sport, Jack Leiter is poised to make a name for himself in the MLB with the Texas Rangers.