The rookie entered the sixth inning having allowed only two runs, but the Rangers watched him quickly surrender three more.
ARLINGTON — Jack Leiter isn’t your ordinary rookie.
The Texas Rangers’ first-round pick in 2021 (second overall) grew up in the game, albeit toward the end of his father’s MLB career. Leiter also has an uncle who pitched in the majors and a cousin who was in the opposing clubhouse Monday night at Globe Life Field.
When Leiter reached the fifth inning having allowed only two runs to the Yankees, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy didn’t hesitate to send Leiter out for the sixth. The game got away from them, but neither bought into the notion that Leiter’s confidence would have been better served getting pulled after five innings.
“We were trying to win a ballgame,” Bochy said. “Our bullpen has been used quite a bit, but we thought, with his stuff, he’s the best guy to have out there.
“We’re not going to be too careful with this kid. He’s been around the game. He’s not in awe of anything.”
Leiter was ready to go back out. He called it a “dream scenario” with reigning American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole pitching for the Yankees and former (and future) MVP Aaron Judge at the plate.
Leiter is adept enough to learn from what unfolded.
He made his pitch to Gleyber Torres to start the inning, but the Yankees’ leadoff hitter reached on an infield single. Juan Soto was next and feasted on a 3-1 fastball for sharp single through the middle.
Judge got ahead, too, and roped a double down the left-field line.
Leiter was charged with five runs, but two of them were let in by reliever Chase Anderson. Leiter didn’t walk a batter as he attacked the strike zone and wasn’t intimidated by Soto, Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Leiter struck out only two, but Judge and Stanton were the two.
Afterward, Leiter didn’t sound like a shattered man because of the sixth. He seemed ready to get back on the mound.
Another rookie delivers
Wyatt Langford admitted recently that his rookie season has not been as good as he was hoping, and his .244 average and .691 OPS back up his sentiment. So what would make his season look better?
He connected Monday night for a two-run homer in the seventh and collected a ground-rule double in the ninth. He also made a nice play in the first inning in left field on Judge’s 111.4 mph laser to the left-field wall.
The home run was Langford’s ninth of the season. Three more would make his year-end numbers a little shinier, as would a .250 average and a .700 OPS. That’s not asking too much of him this month.
For a player who entered the season with only 161 at-bats and who on Opening Day was only nine months removed from his last college game, Langford has survived in 2024. He hasn’t looked overmatched, and he has improved as the season has gone on.
He has visited many ballparks for the first time and seen dozens of pitchers for the first time. The lessons he has learned will serve him well going forward. And make no mistake that the Rangers continue to believe that Langford will be a very good major-league player.
Quick moves
The Rangers needed to make a roster move before the game for Leiter, and right-hander Owen White drew the short straw only a day after he was promoted from Triple A Round Rock.
Baseball, as was evidenced last week with Travis Jankowski, can be a cruel business. Don’t be surprised if Anderson loses his roster spot today.
He worked the final four innings, throwing 82 pitches and gallantly saving the bullpen. He won’t be able to pitch for at least three days, so the reward for his good deed could be getting designated for assignment.
A DFA would free up a 40-man spot, and the Rangers could hang onto it until Jacob deGrom needs it next week as he exits the 60-day injured list. Gerson Garabito, who is on the 40-man, should be ready to go after throwing 76 pitches Friday at Round Rock.
If the Rangers are pining to use the open 40-man spot, here are two possibilities I would love to see: Round Rock first baseman Blaine Crim, though a position player would have to be removed from the active roster, or Double A Frisco right-hander Dane Acker.
Crim can be a minor-league free agent after the season, and Acker is Rule 5-eligible. Might as well take a look.
Doggy video!
A must for all karate shows. Enjoy.
Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com
