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46 articles
TEX • Pitcher • #35
2 days ago
Leiter allowed five hits aside from the homers, so it’s fortunate that he surrendered just the four runs. It’s his fourth straight subpar outing after he opened up with a 2.45 ERA and 17 strikeouts in his first two starts. He has a 6.64 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings since. He’s due to face the Tigers on Sunday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
7 days ago
Leiter allowed five hits, walked a pair and struck out five. He allowed a run-scoring single in the first, but then blanked the Bucs over the next four innings before giving up a three-spot in the fifth. He was able to generate a solid 15 swings and misses over 84 pitches, and his fastball topped out at 98.1 mph before exiting. It was far from a dominant start, but it passed the eye test more than the box score might suggest. He’s scheduled to face the Yankees on Monday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
13 days ago
Leiter also issued three walks on the day while punching out three. He kept the Athletics off the board completely through the first four innings, but the A’s broke through in the fifth as Jacob Wilson smacked a two-run single and Carlos Cortes drove him in with an RBI knock. Leiter got seven whiffs on 105 pitches on the afternoon, posting a CSW of 25 percent. He’ll bring a 1-1 record, 4.87 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and a 24/9 K/BB ratio (20 1/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Pirates.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
18 days ago
If you take away the first inning, this start looks a lot better. You legally can’t do that, however, and a pair of homers — one by Shohei Ohtani to leadoff the game — made it 4-1 after the first. He struggled with command throughout as seen in four walks and just 54-of-93 pitches landing for strikes, but he only allowed one more run for the rest of the contest. It could have been a lot worse, but obviously not what fantasy managers are looking for. Leiter will look to rebound against the Athletics on Thursday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
24 days ago
If you like watching pitchers generating swings and misses, Reds-Rangers was the game for you. Leiter and Chase Burns combined for 39 of them in their time on the bump, with Leiter responsible for 18 of those. The 25-year-old has whiffed 17 over 11 innings to begin the year with a solid 2.45 ERA to go with them. He has an intriguing matchup coming over the weekend against Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
30 days ago
Leiter gave up one homer to Gunnar Henderson. He also gave up a fly to Tyler O’Neill that would have been a homer in 24 ballparks, but it was an out in Texas. Just 26 of Leiter’s 92 pitches were fastballs or sinkers. He didn’t get a single whiff on any of those, but his 66 secondary offerings produced 21, giving him a fine 36-percent CSW for the night. That he gives up so much hard contact on his heaters has been reason to be skeptical about his upside, but if he can get all of these outs without throwing them, he might have something to offer in mixed leagues. He’s due to face the Reds on Sunday. With Chase Burns also slated to pitch, it would be a matchup of the second overall picks from the 2021 and 2024 drafts.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
about 1 month ago
Leiter walked none to finish the spring with an 18/3 K/BB and a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings. There’s not much in Leiter’s numbers to support him as an above average starter, but with his velocity, even modest improvements in his command or his changeup would still have the potential to lead to a breakthrough. He’ll start the Rangers’ second game of the season Saturday against the Phillies.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
about 2 months ago
The 25-year-old hurler racked up six strikeouts on the afternoon and didn’t walk a batter. All of the damage done against him came via the long ball with Max Muncy belting a solo homer in the opening frame and Henry Bolte adding another in the third. Leiter got 11 swings and misses on 57 pitches on the day — five of those on his slider — while posting a CSW of 30 percent. For the spring, he now sports a 4.50 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and a 12/3 K/BB ratio over 12 innings through his first four starts.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
about 2 months ago
Leiter struck out four and walked none, so that’s good. However, he gave up eight hard-hit balls in all, including Brennen Davis’s 116.7-mph homer that was one of the hardest hit balls this spring. In three spring outings, Leiter has given up 16 hard-hit balls on 24 events. That’s too much loud contact from a pitcher who is worse than average in terms of both walks and inducing grounders.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
2 months ago
Leiter gave up three hits while also issuing a pair of walks with one strikeout. The 25-year-old gave up both runs on a two-run blast by Dalton Rushing in the first inning. Leiter certainly has the stuff to be a successful starter, but Saturday — even in exhibition season — was an example of why the comand may not allow that to happen.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
2 months ago
Leiter came out firing in his spring debut, averaging a sizzling 97 mph on his four-seam fastball — topping out at 98.9 mph — while flashing a brand-new upper-80’s cutter, which was classified as a slider by Statcast in this one. The 25-year-old former top pitching prospect was extremely streaky last year when he posted a respectable 3.86 ERA – 4.45 xERA – 1.28 WHIP and 148/67 K/BB ratio across 151 2/3 innings over a career-high 29 starts at the highest level. It’s relatively easy to envision him putting together a full-fledged breakthrough campaign given his raw talent, but only if he’s able to refine his command. He’s been a late-round pick in NFBC formats since the start of February, coming off the board at pick 255 overall, on average.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
7 months ago
While Leiter has proven the ability to miss many bats, he’s still prone to missing his spots. That’s what happened when he grooved an 0-1 changeup to Kyle Manzardo that wound up leaving the yard in the first inning. But after that, he completely shut down the Guardians’ lineup. His fastball was explosive at the top of the zone and that same changeup that burned him early was on point after that. Those two pitches combined to force 11 of his 17 swings-and-misses and the expanded repertoire he came into the season with has turned him into a solid major league starter with upside for much more if he can wrangle in that command just a bit more. Still, a 3.86 ERA across his first full season should be considered a resounding success considering he couldn’t hold a rotation spot before this year.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
7 months ago
Leiter gave up a run on two hits in the second inning. He stranded the bases loaded in the third before a hit and a sacrifice fly brought a run in to score in the fourth. After a scoreless fifth, Troy Johnston and Connor Norby slugged back-to-back homers in the sixth to knock Leiter from the game with two outs. He struck out four. The 25-year-old right-hander will take a 3.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 138/66 K/BB ratio across 144 2/3 innings into his final regular season start against the Guardians in Cleveland on Friday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
8 months ago
Leiter’s own error led to an unearned run in the first, and a Josh Smith error preceded two more unearned runs in the fifth. He nearly got through seven with just one earned run allowed, but he gave up back-to-back doubles with two outs, and the inherited run scored after he was lifted. Leiter dropped to 9-9 with a 3.82 ERA. His velocity was down just a tad tonight, and he induced only five misses on 50 swings. It’s a little bit concerning, but he has to be kept active with the Marlins next on the schedule.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
8 months ago
The 25-year-old right-hander also issued a pair of walks while striking out four batter on the day. All of the damage done against him came with two outs in his final inning of work as Christian Yelich delivered an RBI single and William Contreras followed with a two-run knock. Leiter generated eight whiffs on 89 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 26 percent. He’ll attempt to get back on track as he carries a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 130/64 K/BB ratio (132 1/3 innings) into Monday’s divisional showdown against the Astros in Houston.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
8 months ago
Both runs came in the first two innings. Leiter held the D-backs hitless the subsequent four innings and finished with eight strikeouts, but it wasn’t enough with the Rangers getting shut out. Leiter dropped to 9-8 with a 3.74 ERA. He’ll face the Brewers at home next time out. He’s not a bad bet then, but that he’s currently due to be matched up with Freddy Peralta, a win isn’t all that likely.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
8 months ago
Leither has now whiffed 17 batters over his last two starts. He wasn’t nearly as good as he was Saturday against the Guardians, but that’s more compliment to that start than insult to Friday. The 25-year-old still has some significant command issues to work through, but the quality of his arsenal is palpable. The D-backs are next.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
8 months ago
Leiter’s previous high in strikeouts was seven, which he’d done four times. It’s the second time in his career that he’s completed seven innings and the third time that he’s started and not allowed at least one run. Leiter actually had just nine whiffs on 44 swings and 93 pitches, but 21 called strikes gave him a 32% CSW. It’s awfully impressive what he can do when he possesses his best command, but it’d be nice to see him have it more consistently before playing him in mixed leagues. He’ll get the A’s next.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
8 months ago
Leiter allowed two homers, four additional hits and three walks and also threw two wild pitches, so it’s pretty incredible that he got out of this allowing only three runs. Luis Curvelo stranding both runners he inherited in the fourth inning helped. Leiter has a 3.86 ERA this month, but he’s pitched a total of 16 1/3 innings in his four starts, all of which have turned into losses for the Rangers. While Leiter himself has a fair 7-7 record and a 4.06 ERA, the Rangers are 7-15 in his starts. He’s due to face the Guardians on Saturday if the team sticks with him in the rotation.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
9 months ago
Leiter tossed two scoreless frames before giving up a solo homer to Blaze Alexander to lead off the third. He held the Diamondbacks off the board for two more innings, ending his day with three strikeouts over five frames. The 25-year-old right-hander will take a 3.94 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 96/54 K/BB ratio across 105 innings into a start against the Royals in Kansas City on Monday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
9 months ago
Leiter has walked 18 over 25 innings in his last five starts, and while that didn’t hurt him in the first three, all of which were wins, he’s exited pretty early in back-to-back outings now. With Jon Gray throwing five innings Monday, the Rangers have another rotation candidate to turn to if Leiter remains wild. Leiter, though, should get the chance to start against the Diamondbacks next week.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
9 months ago
Leiter walked in a run in the second, and he gave up another run in the fifth after leaving. The stuff was once again solid, but the three free passes made this a shorter start than he would have liked; needing 92 pitches to get those 13 outs. He’ll look to work deeper while still missing bats against the Yankees on Wednesday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
9 months ago
The 25-year-old rookie right-hander racked up seven strikeouts on the afternoon. The only blemish on his day came on a run-scoring double off the bat of Sean Murphy in the second inning. Aside from that, he was brilliant. Leiter generated 13 swings and misses on 100 pitches on the day, registering a solid CSW of 29 percent. Now 7-6 on the season, Leiter will carry a 4.09 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and an 83/45 K/BB ratio (92 1/3 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the Mariners in Seattle.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
9 months ago
Leiter, who was 1-4 with a 5.97 ERA in his previous six starts, had some trouble with Nick Kurtz, who homered and doubled off him. But no one else in the A’s lineup posed him much of a problem. Leiter struck out seven and walked four. The stuff is obviously there, but he does need to shed some walks before he’ll be much of a factor in fantasy leagues. He’ll get the Braves next.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
10 months ago
Leiter gave up five hits, walked four and struck out six. The 25-year-old right-hander pitched around traffic on the base paths for most of his outing. Leiter was still able to notch his first win since May 30. He’ll take a 4.37 ERA and 69/38 K/BB ratio in 80 1/3 innings into the All-Star break.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
10 months ago
Leiter punched out five batters on the night while issuing a pair of walks. He was very inefficient, needing 85 pitches (54 strikes) to record the 11 outs that he did get. The damage done against him came on an RBI single by Luis Arraez in the third and an RBI double by Fernando Tatis Jr. in the fourth inning after Leiter had exited with two men on and two outs. The 25-year-old hurler got 12 whiffs on the night, posting a CSW of 22 percent. He’ll try to bounce back as he carries a 4.32 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 63/34 K/BB ratio (75 innings) into his first half finale against the Astros in Houston on Friday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
10 months ago
The 25-year-old right-hander piled up seven strikeouts on the afternoon and didn’t walk a batter. The lone blemish on his day came on an RBI single by Mitch Garver in his final frame. Leiter generated 14 swings and misses on 88 pitches on the afternoon — five of those on his slider — while registering a CSW of 28 percent. Leiter now sports a 4.29 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 58/32 K/BB ratio over 71 1/3 innings through his first 14 starts on the season. He’ll look to get back in the win column when he squares off against the Padres in San Diego on Saturday.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
10 months ago
Leiter was pulled at 88 pitches after walking Oneil Cruz to open the fifth inning, and then the bullpen allowed the floodgates to open. Still, this was a matchup that Leiter should have dominated, and he simply couldn’t command the baseball. He had just nine called strikes and a 23 percent CSW on the day with a 49 percent zone rate. The sinker was a huge pitch earlier in the year for him because he can command it for a strike, but it also led to some blister issues, and he threw just five of them total today. At this stage, it’s hard to roster Leiter outside of the deepest formats, and we would not feel good about starting him next week against Seattle.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
11 months ago
The 25-year-old right-hander walked two and struck out four batters in the ballgame. The Royals jumped on him early, scoring three times in the opening inning, including a two-run blast off the bat of Salvador Perez. Perez then added an RBI double in the fourth and a solo shot in the sixth while Bobby Witt Jr. contributed a solo homer in the fifth inning. Leiter generated eight whiffs on 94 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of only 24 percent. He’ll look to put this one behind him and bounce back as he carries a 4.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 49/30 K/BB ratio (61 1/3 innings) into Sunday’s matchup against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
TEX • Pitcher • #35
11 months ago
Leiter was erratic from the first to last pitch he threw here. The lead-off batter reached base in each of his four innings and he didn’t throw a single stress-free pitch. He only threw a first pitch strike to seven of the first 14 batters he faced through three innings and had a very tough time finding the feel for his changeup. That forced him to throw his slider a bit more than he probably would’ve liked to against left-handed batters and his pitch count kept ticking up and up as he struggled to put hitters away. He’s scheduled to face the Royals and Pirates in a two-start week coming up.