Leiter’s performance has declined steadily with each start, reaching its lowest point with a six-run outburst against the Guardians.
Before Tuesday night’s game against Cleveland, the Rangers distributed flashy World Series replica rings to fans. However, given the nature of society, a brisk resale market had already sprung up online by the second inning, coinciding with Jack Leiter’s departure from his home debut.
Perhaps in the future, there will be a memorabilia market for tickets to Leiter’s Globe Life Field debut, if such tickets were still printed. However, at present, the only significant ticket is likely a one-way trip back to Triple-A Round Rock for further development. The Rangers are left with little choice in the matter. Leiter’s three MLB starts have shown a pattern of decline, with Tuesday’s game against Cleveland seeing him concede six runs before the end of two arduous innings.
Leiter struggled to command his fastball, and the Guardians capitalized on his inconsistency. When he found himself ahead in counts, he struggled to put hitters away, and when he fell behind, he struggled to regain control. His performance seemed to reflect a pitcher trying to meet someone else’s expectations.
Before the game, manager Bruce Bochy emphasized the importance of Leiter staying true to himself on the mound, rather than trying to conform to a predetermined mold. However, in this outing, Leiter was far from his usual self. He faced adversity early, needing 16 pitches before recording an out.
Despite initially getting ahead of Tyler Freeman with an 0-2 count, he ultimately hit him with an errant fastball. Andrés Giménez put up a tough battle, fouling off seven pitches before grounding into a fielder’s choice. Leiter then walked Josh Naylor on five pitches, with Naylor swinging only on a 3-0 count. By the end of the inning, Leiter had thrown a total of 34 pitches.
His offense provided little support as Ben Lively swiftly worked through the top of the Rangers’ lineup in just nine pitches, sending Leiter back to the mound without much respite.
The Guardians continued to overwhelm him.
In the following inning, Leiter found himself in a familiar predicament, getting ahead of the first hitter 0-2 before hitting him with a wild fastball. His pitches lacked competitiveness against Estevan Florial, and Bo Naylor drove a high fastball to center field to score two runners. Before manager Bruce Bochy could intervene, Leiter allowed another walk, followed by a double steal, a run-scoring single to Giménez, and the final blow, an 0-2 homer to Josh Naylor. Bochy was already on his way to the mound before the ball cleared the fence.
Leiter’s struggles have been glaring, as he has allowed a staggering 19 runs (17 earned) in just 9.1 innings over three starts, resulting in a daunting 16.39 ERA. His lack of command is evident in his six walks and three homers surrendered, with too many pitches either missing the strike zone entirely or being punished by opposing hitters. In his minor league career, Leiter averaged five walks per nine innings and 1.5 homers.
His run total ranks as the second-highest allowed by a Rangers pitcher in their first three career games, with the top five including successful big league pitchers like Tommy Hunter, Edinson Volquez, and Matt Harrison — albeit, in time.
Leiter’s journey has been far from smooth. He was initially called up for a spot start in Detroit on April 18, only to return to the minors the next day. Two weeks later, he was called back up as the 27th man to start Game 2 of a doubleheader against Oakland, but had to be sent back to the minors by rule. He rejoined the Rangers on Monday.
Despite the challenges, the Rangers, as World Champions — as evidenced by the replica rings they distributed — hold a higher standard for their players when called up. Leiter has been given three opportunities, but unfortunately, things have not improved.
Should the club require a fifth starter again in the near future, they are likely to explore alternative options, despite the limited choices available.