Jack Leiter impresses in first spring training appearance for Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers’ spring training schedule is underway as they look for a return to the playoffs after a busy offseason.
Jack Leiter has strong start to spring training
Jack Leiter has faced enormous pressure to start his career after being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft not to mention from a family with several ex-MLB pitchers including his father, Al, who had a 19-year MLB career.
Leiter made his MLB debut last season in nine appearances went 0-3 with an 8.83 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 17 walks.
The Vanderbilt product got off to a good start in his first spring training appearance on Saturday, Feb. 22, giving up no runs off two hits with a strikeout and a walk in two innings of work against the San Francisco Giants.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said he liked what he saw in Leiter’s first spring season outing.
“Thought he was very good, I mean obviously the stuff was hot, it was coming out hot and he looked really good when he executed pitches,” said Young, “For him to continue to be able to work ahead in counts and then finish hitters once he gets ahead in the count is gonna be key, but I really liked what I saw,” said Young.
Kevin Pillar unretires
After believing he was ready to retire from professional baseball, outfielder Kevin Pillar got the ‘itch,’ to return to the game during the Winter Meetings. On Sunday, Feb. 23, the Texas Rangers announced they had signed him to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training.
Pillar has played 12 MLB seasons for nine teams with a career batting average of .255 with 114 home runs and 468 RBIs.
Last season, Pillar played for the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels and batted .229 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs.
Pillar explained why he changed his mind about retirement after buying land in Texas and initially preparing to transition into full-time dad mode.
“A big part of me just kept thinking about playing and wanting to play and it wasn’t just my decision it was a decision, [where] I had to ask my kids and my wife,” said Pillar, “It’s just crazy how things work out sometimes you don’t always get to choose your destiny in this game and I ended up in the right place...I know I said I was gonna retire but I’m entitled to take that back,” said Pillar.
President of baseball operation Chris Young said the Rangers were happy to get a player they had long coveted.
“He’s a player that we’ve had interest in the past few seasons,” said Young, “A very good defender in the outfield and someone who really hits left-handed pitching. When we heard he was interested in playing we engaged with him, and the deal got done very quickly. Kevin showed a lot of interest in wanting to be here...really excited to see how he looks this spring and there’s real competition to make the team.”
Competition in the outfield
