Toronto Blue Jays: New Generation Vs. Their MLB Fathers

Mark Leiter Jr Vs Mark Leiter Sr

Mark Leiter Jr had a rough major league 2018, and many people were surprised to see him kept on the Toronto Blue Jays active roster going into 2019. At 27 years old, Mark has pitched mostly in the minor leagues during his career, but he made appearances for both the Phillies and Blue Jays at the major league level in 2018 with less than desirable results. (0-1, 7.71ERA, 23.1IP, 2.014WHIP)

Mark Leiter Sr also pitched in the minors at 27 years old. He didn’t stay in the majors full-time until 1991. He was 28 that season, playing for the Detroit Tigers and would go on to pitch for nine more seasons in the majors for the Angels, Expos, Giants, Phillies, Mariners, and Brewers pitching to 38 years old.

Mark Leiter Jr’s uncle Al Leiter didn’t have the same issues becoming a big league fixture by 23 after making his debut at 21 years old for the New York Yankees.

If you can forget about Mark Leiter Jr’s major league stats from 2018, and only focus on what he produced in the minors last season, you can see it’s not all bad:

Minor League Comparison:

Mark Leiter Jr 2018 AAA/A+(27): 3-1, 3.24 ERA, 33.1IP, 1.29WHIP, 39SO

Mark Leiter Sr 1990 AAA (27):     9-4, 3.60ERA, 122.2IP, 1.149WHIP, 115SO

The innings total is definitely off between the two, but otherwise, some of the stats are fairly comparable. Being that Mark Leiter Sr was a late bloomer, maybe that is the reason Blue Jays management decided to hang on to Mark Leiter Jr. this offseason. They can see what they have in him in spring training and early on in the season and hope he can take the next step as his father did in 1991 and become a major league pitcher.