Jack Leiter, Boston Crimson Sox potential draft goal, cruises in remaining Faculty World Collection begin for Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt co-ace Jack Leiter wasn’t as dominant as at times this season, but he was good enough for the Commodores to win 8-2 in the first game of their best-of-three finals series with Mississippi State, Monday at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

Head who had moved from Baseball America to No. 4 to the Boston Red Sox latest mock draft, is one of two Vanderbilt pitchers expected to be highly selected in the MLB Draft on July 11th. His teammate and colleague Kumar Rocker is also expected to leave early. The two Vandy pitchers are considered by both Baseball America and the top two college pitching prospects in the draft ESPN.

It was certainly the last start of the season for Leiter and probably the last of his college career. He still has two years of college eligibility but is expected to turn pro given how high he is likely to be drafted. Leiter, the 21-year-old son of former MLB leftist Al Leiter, reportedly hoping to land in Boston.

Leiter got off to a bumpy start on Monday, allowing Kamren James a solo home run with two in the top of the first. But the Commodores scored seven runs in the bottom of the inning, which gave the 6-foot-1 right-handed more cushion than he needed.

Head gave up a lead-off double and a two-out single when Mississippi State crossed another run in the fourth round. He worked around a hit batter and walk in the top of the sixth before giving way to the bullpen.

He mixed up a fastball that hit 96 with a curve and a slider, allowing three hits and three walks in six innings (107 pitches) while hitting eight. It was his 14th start of the season with three or fewer hits. He finished the College World Series in two appearances in Omaha, allowing three runs, all earned, on seven hits in 14 innings. He deleted 23.

Vandy can take the national title on Tuesday if they win Game 2.

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