Texas Rangers top draft choice pitcher Jack Leiter throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field. Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers top prospect Jack Leiter to open season in Double-A

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/31/22

One of the stars of the 2021 College World Series and the No. 2 overall draft pick from a year ago will open his professional baseball career at the Double-A level. The Texas Rangers' Double-A affiliate, the Frisco RoughRiders, announced on Thursday that former Vanderbilt star pitcher Jack Leiter will be on their roster to open the 2022 campaign in April.

We are excited to announce our 2022 Break Camp Roster, headlined by Rangers No.1 prospect Jack Leiter and 15 returning players from 2021.

More ≫ https://t.co/PxGViSQ89c pic.twitter.com/89mzmIDnr4
— Frisco RoughRiders (@RidersBaseball) March 31, 2022

The son of former two-time All-Star starting pitcher Al Leiter, Jack was originally selected by the New York Yankees in the 20th round of the 2019 draft but elected to enroll at Vanderbilt and play with the Commodores. His first season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he returned to the team's starting rotation in 2021 as a redshirt freshman.

The Rangers prospect was a consensus First-Team All-American, earned the SEC Newcomer of the Year Award and teamed up with fellow starting pitcher Kumar Rocker to bring Vanderbilt to the College World Series Finals. The Commodores fell to Mississippi State, but Leiter was named to the All-Tournament Team as the lone representative from his team.

Leiter is the Rangers' top overall prospect and the 17th-ranked prospect in baseball.

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