MLB-bound Jack Leiter sends appreciation video to Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter just signed the richest contract for a pitcher since 2011. But before he officially transitions to the Texas Rangers’ organization, he sent an appreciation video to Vanderbilt for how the program and its supporters helped him in college.

Leiter, the son of former pitcher Al Leiter, this past season was the SEC Newcomer of the Year, a unanimous All-American, a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award as well as a member of the Nashville Regional all-tournament team and the College World Series all-tournament team.

In the video, Leiter said that he wanted his journey to be different than his father’s, and that different path included Vanderbilt.

“I’d do it all again if I could,” he said. “… Thank you helping make my dream a reality.”

According to Jim Callis of MLB, Leiter’s bonus was $7,922,000. That’s the largest bonus given to a pitcher since Gerrit Cole got $8 million in 2011, the year before MLB implemented its current bonus pool system, per the Tennessean.

In 18 starts this spring, Leiter was 11-4 with a 2.13 ERA. With Rocker, he co-led the country with 179 strikeouts and struck out 41 percent of the batters he faced. He threw a no-hitter against South Carolina in March.

With love 📝

Thank you Vanderbilt. pic.twitter.com/q3gqgaNILn

— jack leiter (@jackleiter22) August 2, 2021

1st-rder Jack Leiter signs w/@Rangers for $7,922,000, fourth-highest bonus in @MLBDraft history, most for pitcher in bonus pool era (slot 2 value = $7,789,000). Vanderbilt RHP, tied for NCAA D-I lead w/179 K, elite 90-97 mph fastball, plus curve, great competitor. Son of Al.

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 28, 2021

It’s official. @jackleiter22 is ours. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/YeWxkyHB7Q

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 28, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.