Monday Newsletter time: Jack Leiter could be part of a talented Texas Rangers rotation ... in 2023
The No. 2 overall draft pick might not pitch again this season, but would be on track to join Cole Winn and Dane Dunning, among others, in a few seasons.
Every player takes his own development path to the major leagues. Some take longer than others, and that’s OK.
The expectation, though, is that a college player selected No. 2 overall will rise quickly to the major leagues.
So, how does 2023 sound for Jack Leiter joining the Texas Rangers’ rotation?
The right-hander was the Rangers’ first-round pick, second overall, Sunday night. The Rangers fully expect the 21-year-old to sign with them before the Aug. 1 deadline. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have selected him.
Maybe he pitches again in 2021, maybe he doesn’t. That’s not much of a concern for the Rangers, who want to keep Leiter healthy and on track for their rotation sooner rather than later.
That could be at some point in 2023, at which point right-hander Cole Winn, the 2018 first-rounder (15th overall) should be in the rotation. It’s possible left-hander Cole Ragans, the 2016 first-rounder, has made it, and maybe righty Hans Crouse the 2017 second-rounder and righty A.J. Alexy, who came from in the Yu Darvish trade in 2017.
They will be fighting to join, it appears, righty Dane Dunning and lefty Kolby Allard. Both of them were first-round picks, just by other clubs.
That’s a lot of talent potential for a future Rangers rotation. And Leiter could be topping it.
Break time
The Rangers hit the All-Star break on a two-game losing streak following a 2-4 homestand that pushed their record to 35-55. That puts them on a pace to win 63 games, which would be under the 66.5 over/under set before the season by oddsmakers.
Everyone needs a break, more mentally than physically for this young team. Players have been trying to figure out how to be big-leaguers, which goes beyond the field, and how to be consistent day in and day out.
It isn’t easy.
“It gives them a second wind,” manager Chris Woodward said. “As major-league players, they’re going to have to go through this. For guys who are grinding, physically and mentally, not knowing how this is going to turn out in their first year wears on you as a first-year player.”
It’s not a stretch to say that Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Solak need a break. Nate Lowe probably does, too, along with a handful of relievers who have been up and down of late.
They’ve had a lot to digest over the first 90 games and will continue to do so over the final 72. Four days of sleeping in, hitting a beach or the links, or just disappearing from the grid will do their brains some good.
They can start thinking again Friday morning, maybe Thursday night on the charter flight to Buffalo. For now, the best thing is to tune out.
Futures recap
Winn and Ragans are headed to Double A Frisco to resume their seasons after their pitching Sunday in the Futures Game at Coors Field in Denver.
It could have gone better.
Winn, who has lived in Colorado most of his life, started for the American League team and allowed one run in his inning on a solo homer by Reds prospect Jose Barrero.
Ragans struggled, allowing three runs and recording only two outs. One of the runs was unearned because of an error he committed. He allowed a two-run homer to Rockies prospect Michael Toglia.
You know what? Who cares?
The fact that Ragans is pitching again, and pitching well enough to get a bump from High A Hickory to Frisco, is all that matters. Winn will remain in the Frisco rotation but is pitching well enough (2.49 ERA) for the Rangers to consider bumping him to Triple A Round Rock.
One more Frisco note: No. 2 prospect Sam Huff will resume his rehab assignment Tuesday with the RoughRiders after hitting three homers, including a 511-footer, in eight games with the Arizona Complex League Rangers.
A little too much to drink?
Surprisingly, the headline on this story did not start “Florida man … .”
Instead, it was a Scottish man who nonchalantly walked right up to the golf bag of superstar Rory McIlroy, with McIlroy and U.S. Open champ Jon Rahm were standing right there, and pulled out a club as if he was going to take a couple practice swings at the Scottish Open.
Security guards, after falling asleep initially, recovered the club but had to really to pry away the head cover from the man.
He was pretty hammered, according to Rahm.
”I'm going to say it was vodka,” Rahm said. “I'm no expert, but he had a long night for sure."
Doggy video!
This poor doggo’s face pretty much throughout the video says it all. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
