Cam Leiter is an electric factory. Florida State’s ace leads the nation in strikeouts and was named ACC Pitcher of the Week after his phenomenal debut for the Seminoles.
He recorded 13 strikeouts in five innings, which set two school records.
Cam, who carries one of the more famous names in baseball, is the the son of Kurt Leiter. His dad played MiLB ball with the Orioles. His uncles, Al and Mark, combined for 30 years on the MLB level.
Their sons, Cam’s cousins, are also playing pro ball as pitchers. Jack Leiter was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 Draft after a dominant career at Vanderbilt. Mark Leiter Jr. is a reliever for the Cubs.
Needless to say, pitching is in Cam’s blood.
However, hockey was actually his primary sport until the ninth grade. It was at that point that his arm became the clear path forward and it has worked out well thus far!
Cam actually began his career at UCF in 2023. The 6-foot-5, 218-pound righty was a unanimous selection to the AAC All-Freshman Team after finishing at 3-2 with a 4.92 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 56.2 innings.
Now, after transferring north during the offseason, he is the Friday night guy for Florida State. Cam sat 97 and touched 98mph with his fastball during his first inning as a Seminole.
The ball jumps out of the sophomore’s hand and his heater is at its best when placed in the top-half of the zone, much like Jack. Cam offsets the fastball with an effective mid-80s changeup and a vicious low-80s curveball. He is also working to integrate a high-80s slider, which will be a viable fourth pitch once he gets a better feel.
Another Leiter is here and if the first start of his second season of college baseball is any indication, Cam is going to be a menace — just like Jack, Kurt, Al, Mark and Mark Jr.