Leiter turns corner in Rangers' talent-rich rotation

This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry's Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ARLINGTON -- Pitching development is not linear.

That’s been a lasting statement of the Rangers’ front office and player development folks for years now, but it’s come up more than a few times as it pertains to rookie Jack Leiter, who has fashioned himself into Texas’ rotation in 2025.

Leiter -- the Rangers’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft -- tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in Texas’ 11-1 win over St. Louis on Friday night at Globe Life Field. He allowed three hits and a pair of walks, easily navigating through traffic on the basepaths.

“That was a great job by Jack,” manager Bruce Bochy said postgame. “Just a nice job by Jack against a tough lineup. This is a game that should do a lot to further his confidence. Jack had great stuff, had a big fastball going and good changeup tonight. He really made pitches when he had to. He's been throwing the ball well. He did again tonight against a tough lineup.”

The 25-year-old Leiter has posted a 2.28 ERA across his past four starts to drop his season ERA from 5.09 to 3.66. Entering Saturday, Texas’ rotation ERA is down to 2.81 and every Rangers starter -- Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Tyler Mahle and Patrick Corbin -- has at least a sub-4.00 ERA.

In a rotation full of veterans and All-Stars and a Cy Young Award winner, Leiter has stood out among them.

“I'm feeling good and I’m just trying to help the team win,” Leiter said. “A win like this feels awesome. It's really exciting. Hopefully, we can do a lot more of that to come. And it kind of just feels like it's been coming and hopefully, we can kind of rattle off a hot streak here.”

Throughout his first two years in the Rangers’ farm system, Leiter had ERAs north of 5.00 at both Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.

Things clicked in 2024.

Leiter was the Triple-A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year in 2024, but he was hit around to an 8.83 ERA over 35 2/3 innings in a series of spot starts in the big leagues last season following his MLB debut on April 18.

“It's not an easy job, to come in and get a spot start and go back down,” Bochy said. “Staying up here makes it a lot easier. These guys have that sense of comfort when they're around the guys and around the game all the time. I'm sure that's made it a lot easier. Anytime you get a longer runway, it's going to make it easier on these guys.”

This season, Leiter has looked more comfortable than ever, even in some of the not-so-great starts. He’s working with an expanded arsenal, including the additions of a two-seamer and a kick changeup in Spring Training. He’s mixing in all his pitches and overpowering big league hitters with both fastballs.

Leiter is a bonafide big leaguer, or close to it.

“I definitely think there's a comfortability aspect,” Leiter said. “It’s just the little things in the clubhouse, being around the kitchen staff, the clubbies, all of the little things that you don't usually think about. They kind of add up, and you're able to really learn instead of just trying to stay up. That's kind of what you battle with as an up-down guy.

“Especially, I think at times, the bad outings where things don't necessarily go my way, it doesn't feel great. But then I’m thinking that I'm probably going to make my next start in Round Rock instead of ‘How do I get better?’”