Despite the MLB lockout, the Chicago Cubs remain busy entering the holiday season. On Thursday, the team signed RHP Mark Leiter Jr. to a minor league contract.
Leiter Jr. is the son of former MLB pitcher Mark Leiter and nephew of former MLB pitcher Al Leiter. Leiter Jr.’s cousin, Jack, was just drafted in the first round by the Texas Rangers in the latest MLB Amateur Draft. For Leiter Jr. himself, he has spent most of his career in the minor leagues.
Over the course of seven minor league seasons, Leiter Jr. has recorded a 42-32 record and 3.49 ERA over 148 appearances. Mark Leiter Jr. has made 93 starts with 618.1 innings pitched. The most impressive stat may be his strikeouts vs. walks numbers. He racked up 628 strikeouts to just 165 walks over his career.
At the MLB level, Leiter Jr. has 47 career appearances with 11 starts under his belt. In addition, he recorded a 5.53 ERA, 106 strikeouts, and 43 walks. Leiter Jr. hasn’t pitched at the big league level since 2018.
Mark Leiter Jr. looks like another solid depth piece for the Triple-A level. However, his numbers suggest potential to become a solid relief arm with the proper coaching and work. The Cubs’ pitch lab sounds like the perfect resource for Leiter Jr. to develop his stuff in and perhaps resurrect his MLB hopes.
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