Getty

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 03: Jack Leiter #35 of the Texas Rangers delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 03, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Pitching in the Major Leagues has become a Leiter Family tradition.

Mark Leiter technically started things when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1983 out of college. The oldest of the Leiter boys, he made his MLB debut in the 1990 season and had an 11-year career, appearing in 355 games out of the bullpen across eight franchises while posting a 4.57 ERA (92 ERA) with 26 saves.

Al Leiter was the younger of the Leiter boys, but he’d reach the big leagues quicker. Drafted out of high school in 1984 by the New York Yankees, Al made his debut in 1987 and spent 19 seasons in the majors with four clubs, pitching to a 3.80 ERA (112 ERA+) in more than 2,300 innings while making a pair of All-Star Games.

Both had sons who made their way to the major leagues, too.

Mark Leiter Jr., drafted out of college in 2013, has spent the last six seasons working in big league bullpens, posting a 4.60 ERA (91 ERA+) while collecting nine saves. He recently signed a one-year, $2.85 million deal to join the Athletics for the 2026 season.

Jack Leiter has carried the biggest pedigree of the bunch. Al’s son was a highly touted high school prospect in New Jersey before the Texas Rangers used a 2nd-round pick to select him in the 2021 Draft, and the team convinced him to forgo a commitment to Vanderbilt University to turn pro. The youngest Leiter would debut early in the 2024 season and has since made 38 appearances (35 starts) in Texas, posting a 4.80 ERA (77 ERA+) in 187.1 IP.

Jack Leiter “Frustrated” Over WBC Insurance Issue

Heading into his third season in the big leagues, Leiter projects to be the Rangers’ fourth starter this season behind Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and MacKenzie Gore.

Players have begun arriving at spring training camps in both Florida and Arizona, leading many to speak with the media for the first time since the 2025 season concluded. Leiter was among those who spoke to reporters, including The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant, on Tuesday as the Rangers’ camp opened, revealing that he was unable to obtain permission to participate in the World Baseball Classic in March. It appears an insurance issue got in the way.

“It wasn’t a hard ‘no’,” Leiter said. “But it just came down to crossing the ‘Ts’ and dotting ‘Is’ on the insurance. It came down to insurance stuff I don’t really understand. I couldn’t control it. And at the end, you worry about what you can control.”

“It’s a dream of mine and high up on my list. It didn’t work out in the end. I was definitely frustrated and still am a little bit, but it will be fine.”

Al Leiter Pitched In, but struggled in the First WBC

Team USA’s roster for the inaugural WBC in 2006 included Al Leiter, though the veteran was not used as one of the team’s main starters. Leiter only pitched in one game during the tournament — a tough 8-6 loss to Canada in Pool Play — and he was hit hard.

Canada wasted little time getting to USA starter Dontrelle Willis, who allowed six hits and a pair of walks in just 2.1 IP before ceding the mound to Leiter. He walked Aaron Guiel to load the bases, gave up a single to Adam Stern to allow a pair of runs to score, and then finally got out of the frame by inducing Pete Orr to groundout to second base.

Leiter started the next inning, with Canada ahead 5-0. Stubby Clapp popped out, Jason Bay singled, and Justin Morneau doubled before Leiter’s day was done.

Jack has a long way to go to top his father’s MLB career. Perhaps he’ll get a chance to represent Team USA again in the next WBC, where he can hope to better his father’s performance.

Aaron Somers Aaron Somers has been writing about baseball on a global scale since the early 2000’s. His content has appeared at several outlets over those years, with most of his recent words coming at his To Be Named Later newsletter. More about Aaron Somers

More Heavy on Rangers

Loading more stories