Jack Leiter Bio: MLB Draft, Father, & Baseball

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Growing up, Jack Leiter saw his father doing wonders on the baseball field.

He was pumped with dreams and ambitions to make it big in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is all set to live his dream now, coinciding with hard work and passion.

Jack Leiter is a baseball player currently playing for the Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Vanderbilt Commodores is an American National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college baseball team. They are also the reigning Division I national champion.

Jack Leiter ready to practice
Jack Leiter ready to practice

Already popular with collegiate baseball, Jack has a very bright future in the baseball industry. Now, let’s talk about his personal and professional life.

Quick Facts about Jack Leiter

Full Name Jack Thomas Leiter
Known As Jack Leiter
Birth Date April 21, 2000
Birth Place Plantation, Florida, United States
Age 23 Years Old
Religion Unknown
Nationality American
Descent Austrian, Czech, and British
Education Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey
Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee
Horoscope Taurus
Father’s Name Alois Terry Leiter (Al Leiter)
Mother’s Name Lori Leiter
Sibling Three sisters
Sisters’ names Lindsay Brooke Leiter
Carly Jayne Leiter
Katelyn Grace Leiter
Grandfather Alexander Leiter
Grandmother Marie Leiter
Relatives in baseball Mark Leiter (Uncle)
Kurt Leiter (Uncle)
Mark Leiter Jr. (Cousin)
Height 6 feet 1 inch 
Weight 88.45 kg (195 lbs.)
Build Athletic
Hair Color Light Brown
Eye Color Dark Brown
Marital Status Unmarried
Profession Baseball Player
Position Pitcher
Affiliation American National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Plays for Vanderbilt Commodores
Net Worth Unknown
Social Media Instagram, Twitter
Merch Jack MLB Baseball Trading Card, Jack Mini Red MLB Baseball Trading Card
Last Update March, 2024

Early Life and Family

Jack Leiter (April 21, 2000) was born to parents Alois Terry Leiter and Lori Leiter.

His parents raised him in Summit, New Jersey, United States. He has three sisters: Lindsay Leiter, Carly Leiter, and Katelyn Leiter.

Jack Leiter With His Father
Jack Leiter With His Father

Jack’s father, Al Leiter, is also a former professional baseball player.

You might be interested in reading: Dakota Hudson Bio: Baseball Career, Injury Family & Net Worth.

Al Leiter

The New York Yankees drafted Al in the 1984 MLB draft as a second-round pick. Other than Yankees, he played for Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, and Florida Marlins.

He championed as a pitcher in 19 seasons of the MLB. He currently works as an advisor for baseball operations with the New York Mets.

Al also had a successful broadcasting career with FOX Sports, MLB Network, and YES Network.

Al Leiter Bio – Early Life, Career, Net Worth & Children

Jack Leiter – Baseball Career

Jack was drafted as No. 615 overall in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft by the New York Yankees. They projected him as the first-round pick.

However, he did not accept the proposal and instead chose to go for his commitment to Vanderbilt University. He then played collegiate baseball.

They offered him $4-$4.5 million, as per the sources. But Jack chose Vanderbilt and the guidance of Coach Tim Corbin.

The decision to drop at that moment seems to have paid dividends as Jack’s now assumed to receive $6 million, or he might go in the top five.

Delbarton

Jack first went to Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey. He played for the Delbarton Green Wave baseball team.

Delbarton prepped Jack for his upcoming baseball ventures. He was on scout’s radars as a junior at Delbarton.

Leiter was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of New Jersey as a senior at Delbarton.

You might also be interested in reading: Andrew Cashner Bio: Baseball Career, Injuries & Family.

National Team

Jack played for the USA National under-18 team. It was during the 2018 COPABE Pan-American Championships in Panama City. He contributed to leading the USA team to victory with a gold medal.

Vanderbilt University

Jack got enrolled at Vanderbilt University. He pitched five no-hit innings while striking out 12 in his college debut on February 18, 2020.

He contributed to leading Vanderbilt to a 3-0 victory over the University of South Alabama. They then named him the Southeastern Conference Co-Freshman of the Week.

Jack threw 15.2 innings, allowing 5 H, 3 ER, and 1 XBH. He did so while walking eight and striking out 22. He proved that he was one of the most advanced freshman pitchers with 0.83 WHIP, 1.72 ERA, and 12.6 K/9.

The college baseball was then canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jack is a draft-eligible sophomore. He is assumed to be one of the top prospects available in the 2021 MLB draft.

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Jack: How he takes his games forward.

The 6 feet 1-inch baseball pitcher takes full advantage of his height in the field. His height works in his favor.

He throws from an average release height of around 5.4 and then optimizes his low release with elite vertical movement and a flat vertical approach angle.

He has all three characteristics that lead to an elite fastball. Indeed, the MLB organizational models would love Jack because of his ideal kinetic sequencing and Trackman data.

Jack can throw four pitches. Each of his pitches is unique, and they possess their own positive characteristics.

He seems to have been polished beyond his age and experience, with precision and command for every pitch.

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The Pitches

Jack’s fastball is not that overpowering as it sits primarily at 91-93. He did touch 96 in 2020, making the score 94-97.

His fastballs spin through the zone at ~2100 RPMs, mostly. It is below average by MLB measures.

That score would just put him in just the 22nd percentile of a big league.

Similarly, he scores 18.1 inches (on average) of an induced vertical break on the pitch, accompanied by 8.1 inches of run. He has six-and-a-half feet of extension.

When it comes to the curveball, Jack has a good one. His curveballs are usually an out pitch or a get-me-over strike one with a knee-buckling break.

The pitch generally sweeps at roughly 2300 RPMs from right to left.

Jack mostly depends upon spin efficiency and mechanics. His curveballs are almost 9 inches in the horizontal sweep, and they come in at roughly -16 inches in an induced vertical break.

Jack gets the honor of being one of the best baseball players right now regarding the curveball.

Similarly, his sliders are no less. It sits in the 2200 RPM range, and with Jack’s awfully impressive mechanics and ability to generate optimal spin efficiency, it gets even better.

The slider sits in the 82 mph range. Likewise, Jack makes 8.1 inches of the horizontal break on the pitch, accompanied by 2.2 inches of induced vertical break.

Furthermore, his changeup gets roughly 5.2 inches of horizontal fade and also has a similar drop. It might not be that great, but there is room for improvement.

jack leiter taking part at omaha challenge
Jack Leiter taking part in Omaha challenge

Jack and the Opinions

Jack grew up in a baseball champion’s house, watching and learning from them in every possible situation. He then ended up being the coaches’ favorite.

One of his former coaches said that Jack is one of the hardest-working children he had ever coached. He further praised Jack for his charm, character, competitiveness, and punctuality.

Similarly, two of Jack’s former teammates came forward, calling Jack the most humble and hardworking guy they had ever played with. They acknowledged his unmatched competitiveness, control, and focus on little things off the field.

Likewise, Jack is referred to as a smart pitcher with a game plan by the people he has been associated with. He has an image of being a fun person to play with.

Moreover, people often review Jack as the highest-graded pitcher who would shine in the 2021 MLB draft.

You may also like to read about Jung-Ho Kang Bio: Baseball Career, Controversies & Net Worth.

Jack in MLB?

Jack Leiter and his fellow Vanderbilt Commodores player, Kumar Rocker, are assumed to go on top of the 2021 MLB draft.

All the good words and reviews that Jack has received from the coaches for his game would pile up and help him for good.

Good wishes to Lieter Jr.! May he get his way into MLB and shine brighter.

Jack Leiter – Accomplishments

  • New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year 2019
  • Under Armour All-American (2019)
  • Perfect Game All-American (2019)
  • First Team All-County (2019)
  • First-team all-conference (2019)
  • SEC’s No. 2 impact freshman by D1Baseball
  • SEC’s third-best 2021 MLB Draft prospect by D1Baseball
  • Baseball America’s Top 150 Overall Players for 2020 (Number 62)
  • SEC Co-Freshman of the Week (February 24)

Jack Leiter – Relatives in Baseball

Al Leiter is already a champion, and his little boy is paving his way to becoming one. Leiters are a family with a huge baseball legacy.

Jack’s uncles and Al’s brothers Mark Leiter and Kurt Leiter are also into baseball. Mark pitches for eleven seasons in the major league. Similarly, Kurt reached double-A with Baltimore.

There is another baseball player in Jack’s generation, his cousin Mark Leiter Jr. He currently pitches for Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Mark Jr. had ties with Major League Baseball earlier, playing for Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays.

You might also want to read: Joey Wendle Bio: Baseball, Career, MLB, Family & Net Worth.

Jack Leiter – Net Worth

Jack is in his 20s and has the bulk of his life to earn. He would probably make a big name for himself like his father.

At the moment, Jack Leiter signed a contract worth $7,789,900 with the Rangers, while he had a bonus of $7,922,000. Well, it became the largest bonus given to a pitcher since Gerrit Cole in 2011. 

Jack’s father, Al Leiter, has a net worth of $34 million.

The senior Leiter is still working, all set to increase that already staggering amount.

Jack Leiter – Social Media Presence

The handsome baseball player is very active on his social media handles. You can follow him via these links:

Instagram

Twitter

Similarly, you can follow his father, Al Leiter, on Twitter.

Visit Jack Leiter – Wikipedia to stay updated on his life happenings.

Common Queries about Jack Leiter

Did Jack Leiter get drafted?

Jack Leiter was considered a top prospect for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He withdrew the opportunity, choosing his commitments to Vanderbilt University instead.

However, the New York Yankees did not select him until the 20th round.

Nonetheless, Jack is projected to be on top of the 2021 MLB draft.

How fast does Jack Leiter throw?

Jack Leiter’s fastball topped out at 94 mph. He holds the ability to spot his fastball to all quadrants and is frequently spotted doing so.

Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah is an engineer and content writer passionate about sports and athletics. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. Whether he is covering the latest trends in sports technology or sharing tips on improving your game, Sanjib's words are always rooted in a deep appreciation for players' hard work and dedication everywhere. In his free time, you can find him hitting the courts or hitting the trails, always looking for new ways to challenge himself and improve his skills.

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