BIOGRAPHY
Mark Leiter Jr. was born March 13, 1991, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is a pitcher in the MLB.
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.
On March 24, 2021, Leiter signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization. Leiter split the 2021 season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He made 25 appearances, going 10-8 with a 3.77 ERA and 145 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.
On December 17, 2021, Leiter signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. On April 16, 2022, Leiter's contract was selected by the Cubs. In 35 appearances for Chicago, Leiter registered a 2–7 record and 3.99 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 67.2 innings pitched.
On January 13, 2023, Leiter was designated for assignment by Chicago after the signing of Eric Hosmer was made official. On January 19, Leiter cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. However, four days later, Leiter rejected the outright assignment and elected free agency. On February 2, Leiter re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league contract.