The Texas Rangers, co-leaders of the American League West entering Tuesday’s games, called up a “special talent” Tuesday to bolster its starting staff.
In an early dogfight with the surprising Los Angeles Angels, with both teams sporting 9-9 records, the Texas Rangers hope the second pick of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft can give them the edge.
Jack Leiter, the team’s No. 8-ranked overall prospect was summoned to the majors from Triple-A Round Rock Tuesday and is expected to make his first MLB start on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.
The move came after Texas Rangers starter Cody Bradford went on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a low back strain.
Texas Rangers Dealing With Several Injured Pitchers
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Bradford, who was 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA and 17 strikeouts this season, is just the latest Texas Rangers starting pitcher to land on the IL. Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tyler Mahle are all laid up.
DeGrom began throwing from 90 feet last week as he continues his recovery from a second Tommy John surgery. The team hopes he can be back in time for a late-season stretch run.
Scherzer, who is recovering from offseason back surgery, was initially thought to be returning in mid-summer, may be back much earlier. He updated reporters with the surprising news on Monday in Detroit after throwing live batting practice.
Mahle, who signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers in December, despite undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. Like deGrom, it is hoped he can return to provide a boost to the rotation later this season.
Leiter Called a “Special Talent” for Rangers
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The Texas Rangers were high on drafting Leiter out of Vanderbilt University in 2021. In his final season with the Commodores, the then-21-year-old went 11-4 with 179 strikeouts in 110 innings over 18 starts.
Leiter was praised by the team’s amateur scouting director Kip Fagg at the time, who spoke of the draftee to MLB.com:
“Pitchers like him don’t come around in very many Drafts in my 29 years of scouting. He’s a special kid and a special talent.”
The knock on Leiter had been control issues, which have led to a bloated 5.25 ERA over three minor-league seasons. However, now 24, the Florida native has slashed his ERA to 3.77 in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, issuing just three walks to 25 strikeouts over 14 innings pitched in two starts.
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
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