Projecting a future Texas Rangers rotation with Jack Leiter

Yeah, Texas Rangers fans, this is really happening!

With Vanderbilt righty Jack Leiter drafted by the team with the No. 2 overall pick Sunday night, we wouldn’t blame you if you started dreaming up scenarios of a future rotation headlined by him. Or is that just us?

Well, in any case, the Rangers’ farm system received an immediate boost with Leiter’s inclusion, and the future appears to be very bright. In fact, bright enough for a potential contention window opening in 2023.

That’s right, Chris Young and company wouldn’t have made the decision to draft Leiter over Marcelo Mayer if they didn’t think 2023 was the right time, as high school players take longer to develop.

Now that the draft is behind us, let’s conceive a possible big league rotation for the Texas Rangers with Leiter in the fold.

Texas Rangers Future Rotation: LHP Clayton Kershaw

Look, I know what you’re thinking: Clayton Kershaw is older and banged up, and probably wants to win. So why would he want to sign with the Texas Rangers?

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For starters, the Jack Leiter pick should indicate that the Rangers want to win sooner rather than later, and that they believe in their own process. That’s obviously crucial for any player looking at a team from the outside.

Secondly, Kershaw has expressed some interest in returning home to his native DFW area, to which the Rangers are the team in the area.

Thirdly, the former World Series champ and Cy Young winner could serve as a key cog and leader for a young team looking to take the next step. Working with Jack Leiter has got to have some appeal, right?

Max Scherzer was also considered for this spot, as the Rangers need a rotation upgrade either way. Kershaw does seem to fit, though.