Jack Leiter and the Red Sox reportedly have mutual interest ahead of Sunday’s MLB Draft. But ESPN’s expert believes the star Vanderbilt right-hander is headed to Texas in his final mock.
Kiley McDaniel projects Leiter, a Summit native, former Delbarton star and the son of former Yankees and Mets southpaw and Central Regional legend Al Leiter, will be the No. 2-overall pick by the Texas Rangers, going off the board two spots before Boston is on the clock.
The Boston Globe recently reported Leiter was hoping to fall to the Red Sox:
Several sources have said Vanderbilt right-hander Jack Leiter very much wants to play for the Red Sox.
A lot of factors go into evaluating a first-round pick, but a desire to play for a big-market team and take on all that comes with that experience counts for a lot. Or at least it should.
Leiter was 11-4 with a 2.13 ERA at the highest level of college ball and struck out 179 in 110 innings. So ability isn’t a question.
Leiter’s apparent interest in Boston was perceived as a desire to play in a major market. The Red Sox are the only realistic landing spot that fits the bill. The top-3 picks in this year’s draft belong to the Pirates, Rangers and Tigers in that order — all middle- or small-market teams. And there is no way Leiter will fall to the Angels or Mets at pick Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.
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James Kratch may be reached at [email protected].
