Texas Rangers Prospect Jack Leiter Struggling with Control

Jack Leiter, making his second start of the week, had in his shortest stint of the season for the Texas Rangers' Double-A club.

Jack Leiter gave up only two hits in the Frisco RoughRiders’ 6-3 victory over the Arkansas Travelers on Sunday.

But it was everything else that stuck out about Leiter’s fourth start of the season.

Leiter, pitching for the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate, lasted only 2 1/3 innings. He also only gave up two runs (both earned). While he struck out five hitters, he also walked five and saw his ERA go up to 5.63.

Control has been an issue for Leiter through the first four starts of his second professional season. He’s walked at least three hitters in two of his first three starts, though both of those went at least four innings. Sunday’s outing was his shortest.

Plus, he entered the game with 18 strikeouts and nine walks, a 2-to-1 strikeout ratio the Rangers would likely want improved before he gets a call-up to Triple-A Round Rock.

In spite of Leiter’s start, the RoughRiders won the game behind a home run from Diosbel Arias, who started at first base and went 1-for-3 and scored two runs. Outfielder Dustin Harris drove in two more runs for Frisco.

Leiter is the Rangers’ No. 4 overall prospect, per MLB.com.

Leiter was the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2021 (No. 2 overall) and went 3-10 with a 5.54 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) at Frisco in his first professional season. He struck out 109 and walked 56 while opponents batted .246 against him. He played in the MLB Futures Game at Dodger Stadium last July.

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