Summit's Jack Leiter Drafted By The Yankees

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit resident Jack Leiter is the second Delbarton School senior to be drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2019 MLB draft.

Leiter, a pitcher, was drafted in the 20th round, and 615th overall. He was the 33rd ranked player heading into the draft, but seemed likely to head to Vanderbilt in the fall instead of signing with a team. It's unclear how this could change his plans.

Leiter is the second New Jersey high schooler picked in the draft, behind Delbarton teammate Anthony Volpe, who was the Yankees first-round pick. They're also the only two Garden Staters to be picked by the Yankees.

The main reason Leiter was picked later on in the draft was because his father had told pro-teams Leiter was sticking to his Vanderbilt commitment, MLB Network reporter John Heyman said.

Baseball is a family sport for Leiter: His father, Al Leiter, is a two-time All-Star and a three-time World Series Champion, best known for his six years spent with the Mets. Before that, Al Leiter was also drafted by the Yankees, and played for them between 1987 and 1989. After retiring, Leiter went on to a broadcasting career before taking a job in the Mets front office.

Leiter told New Jersey Monthly Magazine he loves his home state, a place he still calls home.

"You watch Comedy Central and you'll hear jokes about New Jersey and how it's not very desirable, but it's a great place to live. When I moved back here, I couldn't be in Ocean County or Monmouth County, since it's too far from the MLB Network," Leiter said. "I chose Summit, and I couldn't be happier living there and being in New Jersey."

Uncle Mark Leiter and cousin Mark Leiter, Jr. have both also played pro ball.

Here is what the MLB had to say about Leiter's prospects ahead of the draft:

It's been evident in the polish he's shown as a New Jersey high school standout on the last summer's showcase circuit, for Team USA and then again this spring on a big stage at USA Baseball's National High School Invitational. From a velocity standpoint, Leiter often utilizes an average fastball, thrown in the 91-92 mph range, though he can go get 94-95 mph when he needs it. It plays up because he throws it with some sink and has outstanding command of the pitch. He has shown distinct breaking balls in the past, though he's been leaning on the curve more frequently this spring, and it was a true knee-buckling out pitch during his NHSI win.