On April 18, 2024, Jack Leiter made history for the Texas Rangers in Major League Baseball. Leiter became the second Delbarton Green Wave Alumni to make his MLB debut after his good friend Anthony Volpe beat him to it in 2023. Although Leiter’s dreams officially came to fruition on that day, his journey to “The Show” was long and arduous.
Leiter began his college journey at Vanderbilt after an incredibly successful high school campaign with Delbarton. While pitching for the Green Wave, Leiter racked up 177 strikeouts over three years and accumulated an extremely impressive career ERA of 0.66. After he made it clear he would take his talents to Vanderbilt, the Yankees drafted him as a courtesy in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Jack’s father, Al Leiter, formerly pitched for both the Yankees and the Mets, which likely prompted New York’s decision.
Leiter’s Vanderbilt career went how most expected: he dominated. Over two seasons with the Commodores, Leiter pitched to a 1.72 and 2.13 ERA, respectively. Leiter also added a no-hitter against South Carolina with 16 strikeouts.
Leiter’s professional career was much more challenging for him, however. The Texas Rangers drafted him second in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft, which enabled a $7.9 million signing bonus and professional fame. Leiter struggled in AA, pitching to a 5.54 ERA with 56 walks in 92.2 innings in 2022. Though he struck out more batters than he walked, his control became an issue, holding him back from further success.
True to the Delbarton motto, Leiter persevered and eventually succeeded in AAA during the early 2024 season. After posting a 3.77 ERA in 14.1 innings and only walking three, the Texas Rangers decided it was time for Jack Leiter to make his first MLB start.
By throwing his first big league pitch at Comerica Park on Thursday, Leiter made history for his family. Al Leiter and his brother Mark, who played in MLB, have had both of their sons play in the Major Leagues as well. This is the first time in history that this has happened.
Leiter started his MLB debut strong with a 98-mph strikeout of Riley Greene on three pitches. Despite this, Leiter ran into trouble and ultimately surrendered seven runs over 3.2 with three strikeouts. Even more upsetting for Delbarton and Texas Rangers fans alike is that Texas optioned Leiter back to AAA a day after his first appearance.
However, there is no need for alarm. Leiter expressed much confidence in his abilities after his start and said, “Obviously, it’s a surreal experience. It’s something you dream about since you were a little kid. Being around the game always, it’s a special day. I know I’m better and I need to be better and I will be better. And that’s kind of the frustration is some pitches that I left on the table and some mistakes that I made.”
Despite his rocky start, all of Delbarton remains highly confident in Leiter and his abilities. Leiter has had many ups and downs in his career, but no failure has decided his fate, and neither will this one. Leiter will continue to throw hard, accurately, and embody the Delbarton Spirit. He will never forget “Succisa Virescit”. After all, it defines him.
Nevertheless, the Delbarton community extends their warmest congratulations to Leiter on a huge accomplishment.
