Jack Leiter’s Rookie Season Signals a Bright Future for the Texas Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas — As the Texas Rangers closed the book on their 2025 campaign, one storyline stood out as a reason for genuine optimism: the emergence of right-hander Jack Leiter as a potential cornerstone of the franchise’s future.
In his first full season in the majors, the 25-year-old delivered a performance that exceeded expectations. Leiter finished with a 10–7 record, a 3.86 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and held opponents to a .222 batting average, striking out 8.8 batters per nine innings. For a pitcher just one year removed from bouncing between the minors and spot duty in the big leagues, the leap forward was undeniable.
“This year was about proving to myself and to the team that I belong here,” Leiter said after his final start, a crisp six-inning outing against the Mariners. “I learned how to navigate a full big-league season and how to adjust when hitters adjust to me.”
Leiter’s development couldn’t have come at a better time for Texas. Injuries and inconsistency in the starting rotation forced manager Bruce Bochy to rely on younger arms, and Leiter responded with poise beyond his years. His fastball consistently sat in the mid-90s, complemented by a sharp slider and a deceptive changeup that kept hitters off balance.
“He competes,” Bochy said. “He’s got the mentality you want in a frontline starter. Nothing rattles him, and he keeps getting better every time out.”
The Rangers drafted Leiter second overall in 2021, envisioning him as a future ace. After some early struggles in the minors and a gradual climb through the system, he has begun to fulfill that promise. Scouts point to improved command and the confidence to attack hitters as key steps in his evolution.
Veteran pitcher Nathan Eovaldi praised the young righty’s work ethic. “Jack shows up every day ready to learn,” Eovaldi said. “He’s already got the stuff. Now he’s learning how to think like a big leaguer, and you can see the results.”
Leiter’s success also energized a fan base eager for homegrown talent to complement the club’s big-ticket free agents. Crowds at Globe Life Field grew louder with each of his starts, and his jersey quickly became one of the top sellers in the team store.
For Leiter, the challenge now is to build on his foundation. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “The league adjusts, and I have to keep working. I want to be someone this team can count on every fifth day.”
The Rangers view him as a pivotal piece for 2026 and beyond, a pitcher capable of anchoring the rotation alongside veterans and fellow young arms. General manager Chris Young called Leiter’s season “a huge positive” for an organization looking to sustain success. “He’s exactly the kind of player you build around,” Young said.
Texas may have missed the postseason, but Leiter’s growth stands as a victory in itself. As the team eyes its next playoff push, it does so with confidence that Jack Leiter will be at the center of it all.
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