Jack Leiter being recruited for Team USA is good sign for 2026 rebound with Rangers

According to The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant, Team USA wanted Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter to join its roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) as a reliever. However, the righty won't be joining the team for the highly anticipated tournament. Whether it's due to insurance issues or he just wants to stick with Texas for the entirety of spring training is unknown.

On one hand, it's a shame Rangers fans won't be able to watch their team's young starter compete on the big stage. On the other hand, it's probably preferable that he stays with Texas throughout the entirety of spring training, especially since he has yet to live up to his potential in the big leagues.

Regardless, the fact that Team USA, which is full of All-Stars, wanted Leiter is a good sign for Rangers fans. Team USA wouldn't just add anyone, as its roster includes stars such as Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Mason Miller and more.

Jack Leiter being recruited for Team USA is good sign for 2026 rebound with Rangers

Leiter, whom the Rangers selected with the second overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, was decent in 29 starts with Texas last year, posting a 3.86 ERA (4.15 FIP) with 148 strikeouts and 67 walks across 151 2/3 innings. Although we wish he could've done better, it was a drastic improvement from his limited action with the Rangers in 2024, when he posted -1.6 bWAR and an 8.83 ERA in 35 2/3 innings over nine outings (six starts).

In 2022, MLB Pipeline had Leiter ranked as the 17th-best prospect in MLB. His prospect stock dropped a bit the next year, becoming the 78th-ranked prospect, but he is still viewed by many as someone who can be a star in the big leagues.

Leiter needs to work on limiting free passes and hard contact. Still, he has a formidable pitch arsenal, which includes a high-90s four-seamer and sinker, high-80s slider, low-90s changeup and low-80s curveball. If he can improve his control, he should become the pitcher we all expect him to be.

Since Leiter still needs to work on his control and other aspects of his game, sticking with Texas for spring training rather than joining Team USA's roster is in both his and the Rangers' best interest. He is only 25, so if he can live up to his potential, he can always join Team USA for the next WBC after 2026.