2021 Draft Prospect: Jack Leiter – RHP – Vanderbilt

Player: Jack Leiter                                    Scout Date: 3/20/2021 vs. South Carolina
Organization: Vanderbilt                      Position(s): RHP
Height: 6’            Weight: 195 lbs.     Bats: Right                   Throws: Right
Fastball: Absolutely dominant pitch on day. 90-97, sat 95. Final pitch (number 124) was 96. True 4-seamer, occasional arm side run but typically pretty straight. Rising look when working up in zone. Gets solid downhill plane despite shorter stature.
Change: 83-85. Far and away his fourth best offering on most days, was only off-speed working early in outing. Flashed plenty of arm side run. Inconsistent and rarely used currently but flashed easy above average upside.
Slider: 79-82 big 2-8 breaker that shows plus at times. Had no command of it on day, regularly missing glove side or bouncing. Mixing in cutter that runs. Seen this be his best pitch on days, this day it was just not working for him.
Curve: 76-77, 12-6 break, many scouts like this as best offering. No feel for it in first 7 innings on day. Best came in 8th and was unquestioned plus in one good offering. Consistency needs to be better. More loop than big faller. Plays close enough to slider batter doesn’t know where it will end.
Delivery/Mechanics: 3/4 to high-3/4 slot. Big leg kick in stretch and windup. Tons of drop and drive. Lands with very wide base. Fights against front leg some leading to late effort. Base combined with violence at the finish screams future arm issues. Ability to use legs suggest staying as starter highly likely.
Summary: No-hitter on the day with 16 Ks and one BB. Absolutely dominant on day despite none of the secondary offerings working. One pitch pitcher for 7 of the innings and couldn’t be touched. Overall, there is some longevity concerns with the effort late, but has established himself as a real 1-1 candidate. Outing after he went 7 hitless before being removed. Pure stuff he is on-par with Kumar Rocker, prior knock was lack of track record against high level talent, no longer a factor. Ace upside, injury risk, quick mover with aggressive approach on mound.

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