When a trusted MLB voice like Jim Bowden speaks up, then people need to listen. Bowden is giving Rangers rookie RHP Jack Leiter some attention and it's well earned.
Bowden, who has been an MLB general manager and executive in his career, writes for The Athletic and put out a list of the top 10 American League rookies. Of course, Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz and Boston Red Sox star Roman Anthony received some pub as well.
But Leiter, who is the son of former MLB pitcher Al Leiter, has been delivering some outstanding work this season. In fact, it's not a stretch to say that Leiter is a big reason that the Rangers are even in chatter about an American League playoff spot.
For his part, Bowden shared Leiter's statistics ahead of Monday's action. As of Sept. 8, Leiter is 9-8 with a 3.74 ERA in 127 2/3 innings pitched. He has a 1.29 WHIP.
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Leit 'em up. #AllForTX
What were the accolades that Bowden was flowering Leiter with in his story? Take a look.
"Leiter, 25, has given up two earned runs or fewer in 10 of his past 12 starts, as he’s finally having his breakout season for the Rangers," Bowden wrote. "In the second half, he’s gone 4-2 with a 2.66 ERA, and batters are hitting just .186 against him. It has certainly helped that he’s had the opportunity to learn from two outstanding veteran starters in Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom.
"Eovaldi told Leiter he reminds him of a younger version of Eovaldi when he was coming up with the Dodgers and Marlins, throwing 100 mph but unable to command his pitches," Bowden wrote. "Leiter is starting to command his pitches, as he is locating his four-seam fastball extremely well and throwing it in the high 90s.
"Batters are hitting just .191 against it," Bowden wrote. "His slider has late tilt and movement, and hitters are batting just .227 against it. His changeup has been another key weapon, with a .205 batting average against on the pitch. He’s always had a high baseball IQ like his father, former major leaguer Al Leiter, and it’s been great to see him put it all together."
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350 seconds of Jack Leiter making the best hitters in the world look silly
The Rangers are back in action on Monday night after finishing off a series win against the American League West Division-leading Houston Astros. They host the National League Central Division-leading Milwaukee Brewers at Globe Life Field.
The Astros are off on Monday, so a win can move Texas closer to the AL West leaders. If the Rangers beat the Brewers, that would put them 3 1/2 games behind Houston and, potentially, one game out of an AL Wild Card spot.
Leiter will be counted on to help Texas keep plugging away and getting into some additional games this season.