Longshot Mark Leiter Jr. Realizes Big League Dream

Righthander Mark Leiter Jr. got an up-close look at a dream come true when his spring-training roommate Brock Stassi made the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, completing a climb that began as a 33rd-round pick in 2011.

Three weeks later, Leiter’s own dream came true when he was summoned to the majors. He opened the season by allowing one run with 11 strikeouts through 5.1 relief innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Leiter’s story, like Stassi’s, has an underdog quality. The righthander was lightly recruited out of high school in Tom’s River, N.J., and went on to pitch at New Jersey Tech, where he developed physically, caught the eye of area scout Paul Murphy and was selected in the 22nd round in 2013.

Over five pro seasons, Leiter recorded a 3.38 ERA in 445.1 innings and won admirers for his pitchability—he commands four pitches and has a good changeup—and take-the-ball toughness whether starting or relieving.

The 26-year-old had never appeared on a 40-man roster or received an invite to big league camp before the Phillies called him up on April 18.

Leiter waited 10 days for his big league debut in Dodger Stadium and was so poised and efficient in retiring the side that the Phillies kept him around when they went back to a seven-man bullpen.

Leiter retired Chase Utley in his debut, which was fitting. Leiter grew up less than 90 minutes from Philadelphia and rooted for Utley on trips to Citizens Bank Park.

Also notable: When Leiter debuted, he and his father, 11-year big league veteran Mark Leiter, became just the second father-son duo to play for the Phillies in the team’s 135-year history. They joined Ruben Amaro and Ruben Amaro Jr.

“That’s something that I dreamed about, and me and my dad talked about,” Leiter said. “That was the goal. It’s incredible.”

— Jim Salisbury covers the Phillies for CSNPhilly.com