Current:Home > InvestJack Leiter, former No. 2 pick in MLB Draft, to make his MLB debut with Rangers Thursday -Capitatum
Jack Leiter, former No. 2 pick in MLB Draft, to make his MLB debut with Rangers Thursday
View
Date:2025-04-13 20:14:54
Jack Leiter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, will make his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers on Thursday, the team announced.
Leiter, the son of 19-year MLB veteran Al Leiter, will start Thursday's game against the Detroit Tigers three days before his 24th birthday. He will wear number 35. First pitch is at 1:10 ET/12:10 CT.
The former Vanderbilt Commodore began his professional career with the Rangers Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders, in 2022 and received a non-roster invite to spring training in 2023. He made 19 starts in Double-A that year and one start for Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express before the season ended.
Leiter began this season with the Express, pitching 14 1/3 innings in three appearances (two starts) ahead of his call-up.
The 23-year-old joins five other rookies – including pitcher Cole Winns, who debuted Sunday – on a Rangers roster brimming with both young talent and experienced veteran leadership, particularly on the pitching staff.
All things Rangers: Latest Texas Rangers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Texas (10-9) is in first place in the American League West entering Leiter's Thursday debut.
MLB rookies:Michael Busch 'doing damage' for Chicago Cubs after being boxed out by superstars in LA
Jack Leiter stats
In two seasons at Vanderbilt, Leiter went 13-4 with 201 strikeouts, 53 walks and a 2.08 ERA, and he threw a 16-strikeout no-hitter against South Carolina in 2021.
Across three seasons in Double- and Triple-A, the former Commodore compiled a 6-17 record with 248 strikeouts, 108 walks and a 5.25 ERA.
A small (three-game) sample size in Triple-A this season has been his best. In three appearances (two starts), Leiter has a 1-1 record with 25 strikeouts, three walks and a 3.77 ERA.
AL West news:Astros announce day for injured Justin Verlander's 2024 debut
Jack Leiter family
Leiter is the son of Al Leiter, who pitched for four teams across 19 seasons in MLB.
He is also the nephew of Mark Leiter, another former MLB pitcher who played for eight teams in an 11-year MLB career. Mark's son and Jack's cousin, Mark Leiter Jr., is a current MLB pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.
Texas Rangers starting lineup today
Here is the supporting cast behind Leiter for his Thursday debut against Detroit. First pitch is at 1:10 ET/12:10 CT.
WATCH:Rob Gronkowski spikes first pitch at Red Sox Patriots' Day game in true Gronk fashion
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Mexico and Chile ask International Criminal Court to investigate possible crimes in Gaza
- 4 plead guilty in Illinois girl's murder-for-hire plot that killed her mother and wounded her father
- Oh, bother! Celebrate National Winnie the Pooh Day by streaming these movies and shows
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Reviewers Say These 21 Genius Products Actually Helped Them Solve Gross Problems
- Georgia’s governor says more clean energy will be needed to fuel electric vehicle manufacturing
- Congress approves short-term funding bill to avoid shutdown, sending measure to Biden
- Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
- Where to watch 2024 Grammy Awards: TV channel, streaming info for 'Music's Biggest Night'
Ranking
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Taking Social Media Break After Scoring Controversy
- British leader Sunak urges Parliament’s upper house to swiftly pass Rwanda migration plan
- The Clay Mask From The Outset by Scarlett Johansson Saved My Skin and Now I'm Hooked on the Brand
- With 'Echo' Marvel returns to street level
- Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
- This week on Sunday Morning (January 21)
- 15 students and 1 teacher drown when a boat capsizes in a lake in western India
- Rising temperatures from climate change could threaten rhinos in Africa, researchers say.
Recommendation
Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
China, Philippines agree to lower tensions on South China Sea confrontations
GOP lawmakers, Democratic governor in Kansas fighting again over income tax cuts
Swingers want you to know a secret. Swinging is not just about sex.
US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
7 giant tortoises found dead in U.K. forest, sparking police appeal for info to solve the mystery
Couple gives $100M to Atlanta’s Spelman College, in largest single gift to a Black college
Teen struck and killed while trying to help free vehicle in snowstorm