JACK LEITER – GOES #1 TO HARSENS ISLAND

MWBL Draft Central – February 20th, 2021 – 10:45 AM ET

Jack_Leiter2021-1With the first pick of the 2021 MWBL Draft, the Harsens Island Walleyes select Jack Leiter, a right-handed pitcher from Vanderbilt University. 

Walleye management, led by GM Jamie Campbell, is pleased to add a high-impact, potentially front-end rotation piece to an already formidable stable that includes Sixto Sanchez and Kumar Rocker

Leiter, the son of former major league All-Star and World Champion Al Leiter (and nephew of former MLB pitcher Mark Leiter), is the latest in a long list of Vanderbilt hurlers to go early in the draft and hopes to emulate their success. He will turn 21 in April.

Jack_Leiter2021-2Scouts are impressed with his repertoire, but Leiter’s signature pitch is a 12-to-6 curve, which he can land for strikes or get hitters to chase out of the zone. He has an advanced feel for spin-rate and also has a distinct low-80s slider that some evaluators think has more upside than his curve.

Leiter’s freshman season was cut short by COVID-19, but in 15.2 IP, he had a 0.83 WHIP, 1.72 ERA, 12.6 strikeouts per 9 innings, with 22 strikeouts and only three hits. 

At 6’0” he is somewhat small for a starter but hasJack_Leiter2021-3 been compared to fellow Vandy hurler Sonny Gray. He has excellent mechanics, which enhance a low-to-mid 90s fastball, and he hides the ball well with deceptive arm action. 

Teammates and coaches have uniformly praised Leiter’s competitiveness, work ethic, and poise. Coaches were also impressed with his ability to come up with a game plan and execute it. 

Leiter’s combination of physical talent, emotional and mental maturity and family bloodlines has Walleyes fans and management looking forward to watching a future ace. 

Once again, with their first-ever top overall pick, the Harsens Island Walleyes have selected Vanderbilt University right-handed pitcher Jack Leiter.Jack_Leiter2021-4

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