Call to the pen
Fansided

Jack Leiter dominates in making statement with no hitter

ByDavid Hill|
Vanderbilt pitcher Tyler Brown and catcher CJ Rodriguez, left, congratulate freshman pitcher Jack Leiter (22) after he strike out all three South Alabama batters during the first inning at Hawkins Field Feb. 18, 2020.Nas Vandy Baseball Home Opener 019
Vanderbilt pitcher Tyler Brown and catcher CJ Rodriguez, left, congratulate freshman pitcher Jack Leiter (22) after he strike out all three South Alabama batters during the first inning at Hawkins Field Feb. 18, 2020.Nas Vandy Baseball Home Opener 019

Kumar Rocker appeared to make a statement on Friday for the Vanderbilt Commodores as he struck out 14 batters over eight innings, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. On Saturday, Jack Leiter made a statement of his own, and may well have solidified his place as the top pitcher in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Leiter made his own statement on Saturday, as he fired a no hitter against 16th ranked South Carolina. He struck out 16 batters in nine innings, allowing only a leadoff walk to begin the game.

Jack Leiter just continues to dominate every time out

Although Leiter typically sat in the low 90s with his fastball last season, and uses his curve to get strikeouts, his increased velocity was on display on Saturday. He hit 97 MPH on his 100th pitch of the outing, and recorded the final out on a 96 MPH fastball to strike out Braylen Wimmer to end the game.

This is just the latest notch in what has been an utterly dominant season for the righty. Leiter has posted a 5-0 record thus far in 2021, along with a 0.31 ERA and a 0.621 WHiP over his 29 innings, issuing 11 walks while striking out 49 batters.

Leiter’s no hitter was the first for Vanderbilt since Rocker fired a no hitter against Duke in the 2019 NCAA Super Regionals. It was the first regular season no hitter for the Commodores since 1971, and marked the first time that South Carolina had been no hit since 1990.

That dominance and improved velocity have just added to Leiter’s draft profile. He was already considered a first round talent before college, and his impressive performance for the Commodores is just adding to that. His now upper 90s fastball, excellent curve, and promising slider give him the look of the type of pitcher that will be taken early in the upcoming draft.

The ongoing battle between Rocker and Leiter to establish dominance on the Vanderbilt staff has been incredible to watch. Both pitchers are impressive talents and will be selected early in the draft. Now, just one day after Rocker had a statement game of his own, Leiter came back to fire an utterly dominant no hitter.

Jack Leiter made a statement with his no hitter for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He also just added to his claim to be the top overall selection in the upcoming draft.

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