He attended Vanderbilt University to play college baseball.[11][12] In his college debut on February 18,2020,Leiter pitched five no-hit innings while striking out 12,leading Vanderbilt to a 3–0 victory over the University of South Alabama.[13][14][15] He was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Co-Freshman of the Week following the performance.[16][17] Over 152⁄3 innings, Leiter went 2–0 with a 1.72 ERA before the college baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] As a redshirt freshman in 2021, Leiter returned as a member of Vanderbilt's starting rotation.[19] On March 20, 2021, he pitched a no-hitter in his SEC debut against South Carolina, compiling sixteen strikeouts.[20] In his next start, he pitched seven no-hit innings against Missouri.[21] He was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year alongside being selected a consensus first-team All-American.[22][23] He helped lead Vanderbilt to the 2021 College World Series finals and was named to the All-Tournament team.[24] Leiter ended the 2021 season having started 18 games, in which he compiled an 11–4 record, a 2.13 ERA, and 179 strikeouts over 110 innings.[25] He was named the Baseball America 2021 Freshman of the Year.[26]
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
The Texas Rangers chose Leiter with the second overall selection in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.[27][28][29] Leiter signed with Texas on July 28, 2021, receiving a $7.92 million signing bonus.[30][31] Leiter attended an organization draftee orientation at the Rangers spring training complex after signing, but did not appear in a professional game in 2021, instead choosing to return to Vanderbilt to continue college course work.[32]
Leiter opened the 2022 season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-ATexas League.[33] He made his professional debut on April 9, going three innings while allowing one run and striking out seven batters.[34][35] He was selected to represent the Rangers at the 2022 All-Star Futures Game.[36] Over 23 games (22 starts) with Frisco, Leiter went 3–10 with a 5.54 ERA, 56 walks, and 109 strikeouts over 92+2⁄3 innings.[37] He received a non-roster invitation to major league spring training in 2023,[38] and returned to Frisco to open the season.[39] Leiter once again struggled in 2023, including spending almost two months out of game action on the development list.[40] With Frisco, he went 2–6 with a 5.06 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 81+1⁄3 innings.[41] He finished the 2023 season with one start for the Round Rock Express of the Triple-APacific Coast League.[42] Leiter returned to Round Rock for the beginning of the 2024 season.[43] After the season, he won the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award.[44]
Texas Rangers (2024–present)
On April 18, 2024, the Texas Rangers selected Leiter’s contract and promoted him to make his major league debut that day against the Detroit Tigers.[45] In his debut game, he allowed eight hits and seven earned runs with three strikeouts in 3+2⁄3 innings to earn a no decision as the Rangers ultimately won against the Tigers 9–7.[46]
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