Yankees draft RHP Jack Leiter, son of 19-year MLB veteran Al Leiter

Considered a long shot to sign due to his commitment to Vanderbilt University, the Yankees drafted Delbarton High School pitcher Jack Leiter in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Jack Leiter is the son of 19-year MLB veteran Al Leiter, who pitched for the Yankees from 1987-89 and again in 2005. So you’re saying there’s a chance the Yanks sign him?

No, not at all. Jack Leiter is going to fulfill his commitment to Vanderbilt University, per Jack Curry of the YES Network.

Regardless, the Yanks still selected Leiter in the 20th round, 615th overall in this year’s draft.

Leiter was projected as a potential first-round talent heading into the draft. The right-hander was rated as the 33rd overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline and 21st by Baseball America.

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However, signability issues saw Leiter’s stock drop significantly.

During his senior season, Leiter went 8-1 with a minuscule 0.54 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 52.1 innings pitched for Delbarton High School in Morristown, NJ. Additionally, the 19-year old only allowed nine runs (four earned) and 23 hits in his 11 appearances.

Most recently, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Leiter pitched for Delbarton in the North Jersey, Non-Public A Sectional Championship, throwing 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks in the 2-0 win over Don Bosco Prep on May 31st.

Leiter will be on the hill again on Thursday, June 6th, as Delbarton battles St. Augustine in the Non-Public A State Championship.

According to MLB Pipeline, the righty currently throws four pitches (20-out-of-80 grade): a fastball (55), curveball (55), slider (50), and changeup (50). In addition to his 50-graded control, Pipeline has a 50 overall rating on the New Jersey native.

Leiter’s fastball typically sits in the 91-92 mph range but can reach up to 94-95 mph from time to time. He has been leaning a lot on his curveball this spring as well, according to the report.

Funny enough, Leiter’s high school teammate, Anthony Volpe, was drafted 30th overall by the Yankees in this year’s draft. Volpe also committed to Vanderbilt, although I’m sure New York did their homework and are confident they can sign the shortstop, therefore forgoing his commitment.

Whether the Yankees drafted Jack as a courtesy towards his father, Al, or to entice him to play alongside his high school teammate, Volpe, it was still worth the risk to draft the younger Leiter even with his commitment to Vandy.

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Leiter won’t be draft eligible again until 2021, following his sophomore year. Who knows, maybe history will repeat itself?

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