WATCH: Rangers starter Jack Leiter creates family history with major league debut and first strikeout
Jack Leiter made his MLB debut today, and he made history in the process. He also recorded his first big league strikeout in his very first appearance. In stunning fashion, it only took him three pitches to ring up Riley Greene, showing the stuff that made him a top two selection in 2021.
Leiter pumped a 96 mile per hour fastball right down the middle for strike one. He followed it up with an 88 mile per hour changeup on the inner third to keep Greene guessing. He ended the at bat by dropping in a 98 mile per hour fastball that seemed to just catch the bottom of the strike zone.
He might have benefitted from a generous call from the home plate umpire, but he recorded the strikeout with an excellent pitch against the Detroit Tigers nonetheless.
Things did ultimately go a little downhill for the Texas Rangers ace after that, as he currently has a two inning stat line with five hits, four earned runs, two walks and three strikeouts. Some struggles are expected in an MLB debut, though.
Jack Leiter makes history in MLB debut
Jack Leiter's debut was historical for more reasons than one. The 2021 first-round MLB Draft selection made family history and cemented the fact that the Leiter family is the only one to have two brothers play in the MLB who also had sons that would join the league.
Mark Leiter played from 1990 to 2001, primarily with the Detroit Tigers although he was a journeyman who also played for the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies among others.
His son, Mark Leiter Jr., already made his MLB debut. He debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 and is currently with the Chicago Cubs. There have been quite a few MLB families over the years, but none more prolific than the Leiters it seems.
It's one thing for two brothers to be in the MLB, but it's another entirely for two sons from the same family to make it to the league. Baseball just seems to run in their blood.