Biography
Mark Leiter Jr. (born March 13, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays.
Career
Philadelphia Phillies
Leiter attended Toms River High School North in Toms River, New Jersey and played college baseball at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 22nd round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft and signed. He made his professional debut that year with the GCL Phillies and he was promoted to the Clearwater Threshers and Lakewood BlueClaws during the season. In 45 innings pitched between the three teams, he was 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA. In 2014, he played for Lakewood and Clearwater, compiling a combined 9-12 record and 4.35 ERA in 27 total starts, and in 2015, he pitched with Clearwater and the Reading Fighting Phils, going 8-7 with a 3.09 ERA in 27 games (21 starts). Leiter spent 2016 with Reading where he pitched to a 6-3 record and 3.39 ERA in 23 games (17 starts). He began 2017 with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Leiter was called up to the Major Leagues for the first time on April 18, 2017, making his debut on April 28. He finished his rookie season with a 3-6 record and a 4.96 ERA with 84 strikeouts over 27 appearances (11 starts). He began 2018 on the disabled list and was optioned to Lehigh Valley after he was activated.
Toronto Blue Jays
On September 1, 2018, Leiter was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was activated on September 3, and designated for assignment on November 26. He later cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo. On March 17, 2019, the Blue Jays organization announced Leiter would miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Leiter elected free agency after the season.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On February 13, 2020, Leiter signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Leiter was released by the Diamondbacks organization on May 22, 2020.
Personal life
His father, Mark Leiter, and uncle, Al Leiter, pitched in the major leagues.Leiter has been a resident of the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township, New Jersey.