Jack Leiter DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

MLB.com's Kennedi Landry projects both Texas Rangers rookie right-handers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter will be on the outside looking in for starting rotation spots on Opening Day in 2025. As things currently stand with everyone healthy, the Rangers' rotation projects to be headlined by Jacob deGrom, followed by Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Cody Bradford and Tyler Mahle. Both Rocker and Leiter, who were also teammates at Vanderbilt in college, project to open the season at Triple-A Round Rock to provide rotation depth. Rocker, 25, returned from Tommy John surgery in 2024 to make his first three big-league starts, going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 11 2/3 frames. Leiter, 24, made nine appearances (six starts) for the Rangers and was extremely inconsistent with an 8.83 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 35 2/3 innings pitched.

Texas Rangers pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker were both optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. As part of the move pitchers Marc Church and Daniel Robert were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. The move was simply to preserve Leiter and Rocker's arms and give the Rangers a couple new arms to finish the season. Leiter pitched to an underwhelming 8.83 ERA with a 1.710 WHIP. Rocker recorded a 3.86 ERA in 11.2 IP, though his 1.543 WHIP suggests his ERA could have ended higher. Both Leiter and Rocker appear to be in the Rangers' plans for 2025, though dynasty managers will likely want to keep a closer eye on Rocker than Leiter. Church could be a solid option out of the Rangers' bullpen to finish the season and has impressed at Triple-A, recording a 3.22 ERA and a 9.7 K/9 in 22.1 IP. Robert previously appeared in three games for the Rangers in July, giving up only two ER in 4.2 IP.

Texas Rangers rookie starting pitcher Jack Leiter has been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take the ball against the New York Yankees on Monday. This is a quick turnaround for Leiter who also pitched last Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. He allowed three runs (two earned) over four innings of work during that game. He'll face a much stronger lineup on Monday, so Leiter won't be a recommended streaming option for Monday's slate. The rookie right-hander holds a 12.83 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, and 11/8 K/BB ratio across four starts this season. There should be better streaming options available ahead of Monday's games.