Former Muskrat Leiter Makes MLB Debut
Mark Leiter, Jr made his Major League debut for the Philadelphia Phillies last week. A Laconia (now Winnipesaukee) Muskrat in 2012, the righty Leiter becomes the 133rd NECBL alumnus to reach the Big Leagues and the second to debut in 2017.
Leiter’s father Mark pitched in the Big Leagues for 11 seasons. Mark Sr. was a Phillie in 1997 and 1998 when Mark Jr. was an elementary school. Mark Jr’s uncle is Al Leiter, a two-time Major League All Star.
Mark Leiter, Jr had a 4.40 ERA in three starts for the 2012 Muskrats. He struck out 11 in 14.1 innings. Leiter’s NECBL summer is widely considered the most hitter friendly in the New England League’s history.
The Phillies’ 22nd round pick of the 2013 Draft, Leiter steadily rose the Minor League ranks. He was a Florida State League All-Star for High-A Clearwater in 2015 after posting a 2.26 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 13 starts. The New Jersey Institute of Technology product posted a 3.39 ERA in 17 starts for Double-A Reading last season, and had struck 11 in 5.1 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a brief 2017.
The NECBL congratulates Mark on this significant accomplishment.
