3 days agoTexas Rangers right-hander
Jack Leiter is listed as the team's probable starter for Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Right-hander
Nathan Eovaldi gets the Opening Day nod on Thursday, while right-hander
Tyler Mahle is scheduled to go on Saturday. Right-hander
Jacob deGrom will close out the four-game series against Boston on Sunday. Injuries to lefty
Cody Bradford (elbow) and righty
Jon Gray (wrist) opened spots in Texas' Opening Day starting rotation for both Leiter and former Vanderbilt teammate
Kumar Rocker. Leiter, 24, did not fare well in his first nine big-league outings (six starts) in 2024 -- 8.83 ERA and 1.71 WHIP -- but he showed improved velocity this spring and fanned 21 hitters in 20 2/3 Cactus League innings. If he can make improvements from a year ago, Leiter will be a nice sleeper play in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers PR
2 weeks agoTexas Rangers starting pitching prospect
Jack Leiter tossed four innings during his start on Sunday. Leiter allowed two earned runs with four hits and three walks. He struck out four batters. Leiter continues to struggle with his control but was able to fight through this outing by only allowing two runs. With
Cody Bradford (elbow) and
Jon Gray (wrist) expected to miss the start of the season, Leiter is competing for one of the final spots in the rotation. Through 14 2/3 total innings this spring, the former second-overall pick has held a 3.07 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP. He tallied 17 strikeouts and has served up nine free passes. The right-hander made his MLB debut last season and posted an 8.83 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings. Leiter has flashed elite strikeout upside but has struggled to find consistent results. If he does earn a spot in the Opening Day rotation, he is worth taking a late flier on in deeper formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoTexas Rangers right-handed pitching prospects
Jack Leiter and
Kumar Rocker, who were teammates at Vanderbilt, are both competing for the open spot in the starting rotation now that it's confirmed that left-hander
Cody Bradford (elbow) will open the year on the injured list. If we had to bet, Leiter would be the favorite -- not only because he's looked better this spring, but because he has more big-league experience. The 24-year-old has shown increased velocity in camp and has allowed only three runs on seven hits while walking six and striking out 13 in four games (one start) covering 10 2/3 innings. Although he had an ERA over 8.00 and a 1.71 WHIP, Leiter pitched in nine games (six starts) in the big leagues in 2024. Rocker, meanwhile, made three starts last year but has allowed eight earned runs while walking two and striking out only two in just two Cactus League innings in his two starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
2 weeks agoTexas Rangers starting pitching prospect
Jack Leiter struggled with his command on Tuesday afternoon. Leiter served up five free passes across two 2/3 innings. However, he only allowed one hit and one earned run and tallied five punchouts. Leiter was a late addition to the starting lineup as
Tyler Mahle (forearm) was scratched with tightness. However, before this showing, Leiter was enjoying a strong start to spring training. Entering Tuesday, the right-hander served up just one free pass. The former second overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft made his MLB debut last season but struggled as he held a high 8.83 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings. At Triple-A, Leiter posted a 3.51 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP with 110 strikeouts across 77 innings. He will likely open the season at Triple-A but could push for an early return to the majors.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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