Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter, a presumptive top-5 pick in the MLB Draft, is having himself a day in the College World Series.
Leiter is rumored to the Boston Red Sox, who own the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft. The Vanderbilt sophomore is the son of former major-league pitcher Al Leiter. On the season, he has a 10-2 record paired with a 2.08 ERA and .837 WHIP.
While it’s unlikely that Leiter publicly says anything on the subject, some scouts expect him to price his way to Boston. That is — the preliminary price tag that it would take to make him leave Vanderbilt this season, could only be matched by a team of the Red Sox’s means.
Whether there’s any truth to those rumblings remains to be seen. For now, though, Boston fans are stuck looking at Leiter highlights in the College World Series, wondering what might be years down the line at Fenway Park.
College World Series: Jack Leiter showing out against Mississippi State
Leiter was on one in Omaha.
Jack Leiter, Nasty 77mph Curveball. 😨 pic.twitter.com/IpIScAvpSd
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 29, 2021
Pitchers are Athletes: Jack Leiter edition. pic.twitter.com/SXIu2ZbK58
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 29, 2021
Jack Leiter strikes out the side in the 3rd and is now up to 6 K's!
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 29, 2021
📺 ESPN2#CWS x @VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/yClfqPcFUr
Boston Red Sox fans had one eye on the CWS in the middle of their home contest against the Kansas City Royals.
every time I see a mock draft with Jack Leiter going to the Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/UjpiI9nEpf
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) June 29, 2021
Jack Leiter, the son of the best MLB network analyst. Soon to be the best Red Sox draft pick of all time. #shovestick
— Sam Guillot (@guillot_sam) June 29, 2021
Red Sox fans should tune in ESPN2 to watch potential #4 pick (if he’s still there) Jack Leiter of Vanderbilt.
— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) June 29, 2021
1st Inning
•K
•Dribbler to P
•HR (14th allowed)
•Dribbler to P#VandyBoys #CWS2021 #CWSOmaha
Crazy to think Jack Leiter’s next start could be as a member of the Red Sox
— Kyle (@GuruOpensCards) June 29, 2021
Jack Leiter’s gonna look so good in a Red Sox jersey next year
— Chris Lavallee (@CLavallee14) June 29, 2021
The fact that Jack Leiter is going to be a Red Sox makes me so happy
— Erik (@_yungerik) June 29, 2021
I need Jack Leiter on the Red Sox like I need air to breathe
— Marshmont (@Marshmont_63) June 29, 2021
Leiter is arguably the best pitcher in this draft class. What’s keeping him from being the universal top selection, along with teammate Kumar Rocker, is arguably financial means and a crop of talented high school shortstops.
Should he fall to Boston, Red Sox fans would be
very happy to say the least.