Rangers sign No. 2 pick Leiter to reported near-record deal

The Texas Rangers signed 2021 second overall pick Jack Leiter, the team announced Wednesday.

Leiter's deal will pay him more than $7.9 million, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

That would represent the highest bonus for a pitcher since draft rules changed 10 years ago and falls just short of the $8 million Gerrit Cole received in 2011.

Leiter was a standout at Vanderbilt, fashioning a 13-4 record and 2.08 ERA to go with 201 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings during his two collegiate seasons.

The 21-year-old is the son of former big-league pitcher Al Leiter. His uncle, Mark Leiter, and cousin, Mark Leiter Jr., also pitched in the majors.