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3 moves we’re glad the Texas Rangers made in 2021

By Seth Carlson

Aug 19, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) celebrates hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) celebrates hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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OMAHA, NEBRASKA – JUNE 28: Jack Leiter #22 of the Vanderbilt pitches in the first inning during game one of the College World Series Championship against the Mississippi St. at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 28, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NEBRASKA – JUNE 28: Jack Leiter #22 of the Vanderbilt pitches in the first inning during game one of the College World Series Championship against the Mississippi St. at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 28, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Drafting Jack Leiter with the No. 2 overall pick

If Adolis Garcia was the best thing to happen to the big league team, then Jack Leiter was the best thing to happen to the minor league system in 2021 (with all due respect, Cole Winn!).

Drafting the Vanderbilt ace second overall was a moment of pure elation for Rangers fans everywhere. Leiter was the consensus best pitcher available in the draft, and it was shocking when the Pittsburgh Pirates passed up on him in favor of catcher Henry Davis first overall. A Pirate loss was a Ranger gain.

Leiter brings more upside from a pitcher in the Rangers farm system than one has in a long time. There’s real excitement about his potential and what he has a chance to be, to the point where he’s already the top-ranked prospect in the pipeline, leapfrogging Josh Jung, without having pitched a pro inning.

Not only does Leiter have big league pedigree in his DNA (Al Leiter was his father), he’s a winner and an alpha personality on the mound. And now he’s a Texas Ranger, where he’ll be one of many beacons of hope to come as the franchise starts to emerge from a rebuild.

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