In his most recent Cactus League appearance on Saturday, Leiter threw three solid innings against the Diamondbacks, allowing one hit (a solo homer) and one walk. He faced just one batter over the minimum. He also had a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh inning facing big leaguers Tucker Barnhart, Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll.
The 23-year-old continues to fill up the zone with all his pitches, which was the biggest struggle for him over his first two professional seasons. Though he was a hyped prospect with a famous last name, this spring has been the most comfortable Leiter has looked since joining the organization.
“I think Jack can handle anything,” Bochy said. “With the bloodlines, he’s around the game and he pitched at a really good baseball school obviously at Vanderbilt, in big games there. So I think he's shown he's up for the challenge. He’s pitching very well, so like I said, it's been good to watch how well he's been throwing the ball.”
With just over a week until Opening Day, the Rangers still have some decisions to make. Could Leiter potentially break camp with the big league club? If he does, will that be as a starter or reliever?
“As I said, we're not ruling out anything. He's here [in big league camp], so it's possible,” Bochy said. “I don't want to ever rule anybody out.”
“What we're seeing is what we were hoping for when Jack came into camp. That's a guy out there that looks like he's doing all he can to make a statement. And he's done it. He's got the stuff to pitch up here, with the command and the confidence he’s got right now. That's what I've liked about him. He’s making noise. He's going to help us at some point. I don't know when, if it’s now or later, but with the progress he's made, he's right there.”
