Amid Rangers walk-off loss and Max Scherzer debut, it's worth turning focus to Jack Leiter

Tuesday night was a rough go for the Rangers, but they'd be wise to take a moment to appreciate one of their top prospects amid the downer.

Despite the 4-3 loss against the Nationals in the second game of their doubleheader, young right-hander Jack Leiter made his Double-A debut and showed flashes of brilliance.

He threw four innings and gave up one run on two hits while striking out six batters and walking two. He threw 29 of his 56 pitches for strikes.

Leiter was drafted second overall by the Rangers in 2021, and he's quickly risen through the minors. He spent most of last season at High-A Hickory, where he went 4-4 with a 3.17 ERA in 15 starts. He also struck out 95 batters in 79 innings of work, showcasing his impressive strikeout ability.

The Rangers are hoping that Leiter can continue to develop and eventually become a key part of their rotation. He's got a lot of potential, and he's already shown that he can handle the challenges of the minor leagues.

While the Rangers are still struggling to find their footing in 2023, Leiter's debut is a reminder that they have some exciting young talent in the pipeline. He's a player to watch in the years to come, and he could be a big part of the Rangers' future success.

Here are some additional highlights from Leiter's debut:

• He threw a 96 mph fastball, which is a significant improvement from his previous outings.
• He showed good command of his changeup, which is a developing pitch for him.
• He was able to get ahead of hitters in the count, which is a key to success at the Double-A level.
• He didn't allow a home run, which is a good sign for his future.

Overall, Leiter's debut was a positive step forward for the Rangers. He showed that he has the potential to be a successful pitcher at the Double-A level, and he's a player to watch in the years to come.