Rangers calling up former No. 2 pick Jack Leiter
The Texas Rangers announced Tuesday they are promoting former second overall pick Jack Leiter to the major leagues.
Leiter will make his big-league debut Thursday as the Rangers' starter against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
The 23-year-old, whose father Al pitched 19 seasons in the majors, was Texas' top draft choice in 2021 following a stellar two-year college career at Vanderbilt. He entered the campaign ranked as the Rangers' No. 8 prospect by MLB.com.
While he struggled during his first two professional seasons, Leiter has started brightly in 2024. The right-hander put up a 3.77 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 25 strikeouts to just three walks over three appearances (two starts) at Triple-A Round Rock. He struck out 10 over six innings in his last start for Round Rock on Friday, though he also allowed three home runs.
Texas is hoping Leiter can aid a rotation that's down some key members early in the year. Left-hander Cody Bradford was enjoying a stellar start to his season before landing on the injured list with a low back strain last week. The Rangers are also still without Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle, who are continuing their recoveries from back and elbow surgeries, respectively.
The defending World Series champions enter play Tuesday at 9-8, with a half-game lead on the Los Angeles Angels atop the AL West.