On a Wednesday in August, Globe Life Field was nearly deserted before a series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. However, a multitude of Rangers executives, coaches, players, and gathered media directed their attention toward the pitcher’s mound.

There, Jack Leiter—formerly touted as a masterpiece in the making but now a project in development—was showcased in a stadium where he aspired to one day take the mound.

Once again, Leiter found himself under intense scrutiny. The spotlight had followed him since his days tearing through the ranks of amateur baseball, continuing through his dominant college performances. It intensified when the Texas Rangers selected him with the second overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft from Vanderbilt University, offering him a substantial signing bonus to end a prolonged period without notable developmental successes.

Even as Leiter encountered struggles in his initial two seasons as a professional, slipping from the top prospect rankings and facing a brief hiatus from competitive play on the developmental list, the attention on him never waned. 

This was the situation on August 16 of the preceding year at Globe Life Field—a crucial juncture in his journey of rebuilding—as he pitched before the organization that harbored lofty expectations for his future.

Eight months and two days after that session in Arlington, Leiter took to the mound for his major league debut on April 18 at Comerica Park in Detroit. While the specific outcomes of that game may not be crucial in the larger context, Leiter, who celebrated his 24th birthday last week, has since adopted a more focused perspective.

This shift in mindset can elucidate how Leiter managed to realign his career trajectory.

Simplifying his approach became key for Leiter. Instead of dwelling on the bigger picture, such as the box score or external perceptions, he shifted his focus to making one good pitch at a time, ensuring it was the right pitch executed well. If it didn’t go as planned, he quickly shifted his attention to the next opportunity.

This method of taking each pitch one at a time became Leiter’s pathway to reinvention. Coupled with hours of dedicated physical study resulting in minor adjustments with major impacts, he transformed into a more effective and efficient pitcher. This transformation has once again attracted positive attention to Leiter as he moves closer to securing a permanent spot in the major leagues.

“I haven’t seen anyone else dedicate themselves to that level of work over the past nine months,” remarked Rangers pitching coordinator Jordan Tiegs to The Dallas Morning News. “To witness him reap the rewards of his efforts is truly gratifying. He’s earned every bit of it.”