ARLINGTON -- Jack Leiter is finally starting to look like the Jack Leiter the Rangers expected when they selected him No. 2 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. 

Leiter, ranked as Texas’ No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, struggled in his debut season in 2022, posting a 5.54 ERA in 92 2/3 innings, while hitting more than a few speed bumps along the way. His ‘23 campaign seemed well on its way to those same struggles, as Leiter pitched to a 6.75 ERA in April. 

But then, the right-hander flipped a switch. 

In Leiter’s most recent start against San Antonio, he tossed six innings of one-run ball, capping off the best month of his young professional career. Over five starts in May, Leiter allowed just six runs (five earned) over 27 innings of work, good for a 1.67 ERA on the month. 

During that time, Leiter struck out 33 hitters while walking just 13 as he lowered his season ERA from 6.75 to 3.83.

“You’re seeing the maturation of a young pitcher,” Rangers executive vice president and general manager Chris Young said. “Last year, obviously, it was tough and there were some highs and some lows for Jack. To see him come out this year, get off to a little bit of a slow start -- but I felt like the results were worse than the way he was throwing the ball -- then to see him kind of flip the switch and now have the results to go with the way he's throwing, it's been fun to see.

“It’s just the evolution of a pitcher. There's a reason that player development is important and it takes time. Jack has learned a lot of lessons. He's becoming a more complete pitcher and really excited about the progress he's making, and I want to see him continue that kind of success.”

Other top performers for May 27-June 3:

Triple-A Round Rock
INF Justin Foscue
Seven games: 9-for-22, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 9 BB
Line for the week: .409/.581/.864 (1.444 OPS)

High-A Hickory
RHP Mitch Bratt
One start: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 1 BB
Season ERA: 2.97

Single-A Down East
RHP Brock Porter
One start: 5 IP (career high), 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 7 K, 1 BB
Season ERA: 0.89