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2021 MLB Draft: Predicting first five picks

By David Mullen

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 25: Pitcher Kumar Rocker #80 of the Vanderbilt Commodores delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Michigan Wolverines during game two of the College World Series Championship Series on June 25, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 25: Pitcher Kumar Rocker #80 of the Vanderbilt Commodores delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Michigan Wolverines during game two of the College World Series Championship Series on June 25, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Jack Leiter, MLB Draft
Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter (22) is congratulated by teammates after pitching against East Carolina during the sixth inning of game 2 of the NCAA Super Regionals at Hawkins Field Saturday, June 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.Nas Vandy Ecu 035 /

Pick No. 2 – Texas Rangers: Jack Leiter, Pitcher, Vanderbilt

Another Vanderbilt pitcher. Another first-round pick. This time it is the son of a former Major League Baseball pitcher; Jack Leiter. Leiter, like his teammate Rocker, was previously selected in the MLB Amateur Draft; the 20th round in 2019. However, like Rocker, Leiter came to Tim Corbin and Vanderbilt.

It has paid off dramatically for Jack as he is a consensus first-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Leiter finished with 22 strikeouts and 8 walks in only 15.2 innings pitched. This year, Leiter has struck out 156 batters, walking 41 in 96 innings featuring four pitches including one of the best fastballs in the draft as well as a slider, changeup, and curveball.

Prior to the season and even into the season, Leiter was the consensus number one pick. Leiter added a no-hitter to his resume by shutting down the University of South Carolina. Most mock drafts cross the industry have Leiter dropping to four. A team passing up an extremely good pitcher for a position player does not seem like it’s in the cards especially in a draft lacking potential superstar position players.

In the last three drafts, the Texas Rangers have selected an infielder with their first-round pick. Third basemen Davis Wendzel was drafted in 2019 out of Baylor University along with Josh Jung in 2019 with the No. 8 overall pick. Last year, the Rangers selected Mississippi State University second basemen Justin Foscue. In fact, they’ve drafted only one pitcher with their last six picks. Leiter would be a perfect fit for their rebuild.

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