Jack
Leiter

2021 MLB Draft: Leiter had first-round potential as a high school prospect and pitched well in the shortened 2020 season, but he took the college game by storm this year by tossing 20.2 no-hit innings over three starts. One of those was a no-hitter, Vanderbilt's first regular season one since 1971, and he followed it up with seven no-hit innings in his next start. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has a complete arsenal, but can simply dominate with a virtually unhittable fastball. His combination of velocity, release point, location and riding life make the pitch play extremely well. He sits around 94 mph and can reach back for 96-97 at any point. His secondary stuff fluctuated throughout the season, but his usual go-to pitch is a 78-81 curveball with sharp break and depth. He can also mix in a low-80s slider that is plus at times and hitters have a hard time recognizing it out of his hand.

In the first regular season no-hitter in Vanderbilt history since 1971, the electric right hander struck out 16 over nine innings to take down South Carolina in his first-ever SEC start. Raising his record to 5-0 on the season with a 0.31 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 29 IP, Leiter walked the game’s leadoff hitter, then proceeded to retire the next 27 in a row. His fastball was unhittable as the Gamecocks just couldn’t get to it. Try squaring up a lightning bolt as it shoots from the sky. The combination of velocity, release point, location and riding life made the pitch play as well as any fastball this side of Josh Hader. And similar to a Hader heater, the hitters knew it was coming and still couldn’t put it in play very often. Leiter allowed hard contact to only three batters and struck out five of the first seven and six of the last eight batters he faced. In total he threw 124 pitches, 81 for strikes in what was only his eighth start in a Commodore uniform. It was also his first start that lasted more than five innings during his college career. Similar to the previous weekend’s 97-pitch start at Oklahoma State, Leiter pitched without his best stuff. With an average velocity around 94 mph Leiter showed that he could reach back for 96-97 at any time. His last two pitches of the eighth were 97 mph heaters, blowing them by cleanup hitter Wes Clarke. Leiter’s typically dominant 78-81 mph curveball did not show well in this start as he struggled throughout to find the feel, either bouncing 57-footers or floating up in the zone for most of his start. He was able to land a couple good ones in the seventh inning, but that was the best his curve had to offer on this day. Instead he reverted to an 83-84 mph slider that was plus at times and hard for hitters to recognize out of his hand. But again, neither bender was near his normal high-end hammers. With bonus demands being equal, Leiter will give the Pirates something to think about if their decision boils down to Rocker vs Leiter. At his best, Leiter is a potential ace with his FB / CB combo and is drawing comparisons to Trevor Bauer. Digging into the data: Leiter’s fastball has the ideal Wiff combination of higher induced vertical break and a flatter or more shallow Vertical Approach Angle into the front of home plate for his release slot. Adding to this strength, he has the command to elevate and take advantage of this unique combination.

The sophomore eligible righty has big league bloodlines — his father is longtime major league pitcher Al Leiter. At his best, Leiter works the corners and pitches to the top of the zone with a mid-90 mph riding fastball, then moves hitters’ eyes with a big breaking, plus 75-77 mph curveball which he has the confidence to throw in any count. He will also mix in a low-80s slider and changeup with similar velocity.  At 6-foot, 190 pounds, Leiter could be on the short end to be considered this high, but so was Max Meyer (Minnesota), third overall in 2020.

11/10/19: Leiter worked two innings, allowing two runs with four strikeouts. He worked the corners and pitched to the top of the zone with his 90-94 mph riding fastball and moved hitters’ eyes with an above average, big breaking 75-77 mph curveball which he threw in any count. He also mixed in a low-80s slider and changeup with similar velocity. With a tight strike zone and a lively fastball, Leiter walked three batters, with one scoring on a two-run double in the second inning. The line drive double was laced down the right field line by sophomore 2B Riley Bertram and opened the scoring in the contest, putting the Wolverines on top 2-0.

He carried a perfect game until two outs in the seventh inning and struck out 14. His fastball was 94-97 mph in the first inning, touching 98 in the third and still bumping 96 in the sixth. He didn’t throw a fastball below 92 until two outs in the seventh. The curveball is usually Leiter’s trademark secondary offering, but it was inconsistent in this outing, though he still spun some above average ones in the mid 70s, the Vanderbilt recruit still had a go to breaking ball in his slider, which was 84-86 with hard, late break.

The Vanderbilt recruit dominated in six innings of work, sitting 90-93, touching 94, with slight run and occasional cut. Working quickly and with a short arm action, Leiter needed just 69 pitches to get through the start, throwing 47 for strikes. He faced two over the minimum, allowing a walk in the first and single in the fourth. He went to his trademark curveball often, spinning the 12/6 breaker at 74-77 with depth. He also threw a sharp, darting slider three times at 82-85, and showed athleticism on the mound, hopping off it with ease to make a few plays. His last pitch of the game was 92.

Area Code Games (August 8, 2018)
Leiter stole the show, dominating for two innings with his fastball and curveball. After a pop out to start the game, he allowed a hard single and then struck out five straight. His fastball sat 91-94 and he showed his usual curveball, an above average offering with 11/5 shape, sharpness and depth at 77-78. His first strikeout came on a curveball down. He then went with 93 up in the zone and struck out the side in the second inning, all with 94 on the outer black. He also mixed in a changeup at 80-81 and a short, darting slider at 83.

East Coast Pro Showcase (August 2, 2018)
Red Sox starter and Vanderbilt recruit RHP Jack Leiter (Delbarton HS, NJ) pitched the first three innings, showing a downhill delivery with an 89-93 mph fastball and an above average-to-plus 76-78 mph curveball. At times, he threw it with more slider shape at 80-82 mph, showing great feel for manipulating his breaking ball, changing shapes and expanding off the plate. His pitches were routinely thrown to the bottom of the zone.

Under Armour All-America Game (July 22, 2018)
RHP Jack Leiter (Delbarton HS, NJ), a Vanderbilt recruit with big-league bloodlines, is smaller in stature but attacked hitters with his 91-93 fastball and arguably the best breaking ball of the event, a tight, late-breaking slider. He throws his slider aggressively and is a true swing-and-miss offering. After walking a batter, Leiter settled in and struck out two.

WWBA Underclass 10/7/16
Leiter has an athletic build at 5-foot-10 165-pounds. Sat 84-86 mph with FB. Had some trouble with command of FB - threw 4.2 innigs, walked six and struck out six. Arm action works, high-¾ with feel for slider at 74-75 mph. Just needs to be more consistent with strikes.

10/1/16
Leiter has an athletic frame at 5-foot-10 165-pounds. One of the top 2019 players in the state (No. 8). Fastball sat at 85-86 at the beginning of his outing, but settled at 82-83 for the rest. Showcased a sharp slider at 73-76 mph with 11/5 depth. Also showed a 12/6 breaker at 63-65. Slider is a true swing and miss pitch. changes arm slots on 12/6 breaker, wraps wrist. Balance point is strong and athletic - falls off to first base side of mound on finish. Had some trouble with FB command at the start, but could have been due to weather conditions affecting mound/ball.


Leiter is a lean and athletic 5-foot-10 165-pound RHP with a quick arm and big upside. Up to 86 mph from a high-3/4 slot with feel for 11/5 breaking ball for strikes. Also throws a smaller, tighter slider/cutter and a straight changeup. Sound mechanics with a loose arm. Uses stride length to generate some power and velocity but occasionally over-strides causing him to fade to the first base side of the rubber. High follow prospect. Son of former Major Leaguer Al Leiter.