Spring training is expected to improve for the Texas Rangers hitters, who faced an abysmal start, batting a mere .129 over their first two games, including a 6-1 defeat to the San Francisco Giants. Jonah Heim, Ezequiel Duran, Dustin Harris, and Justin Foscue each accounted for one hit among the team’s total of four, with 11 strikeouts and no walks, highlighting a struggle to find their rhythm.

Evan Carter and Adolis García encountered familiar challenges at the plate, striking out multiple times against left-handed pitchers. Carter notably struck out against veteran Enny Romero, while García struggled against fastballs. Jack Leiter stood out with impressive velocity in his first outing, indicating potential for a rotation spot, but he must refine his approach to finish off batters effectively.

The Toronto Blue Jays are taking a methodical approach in selecting their leadoff hitter for the upcoming season, with second baseman Andrés Giménez emerging as a potential candidate. Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians, Giménez brings an intriguing profile despite a subpar performance last year, hitting just .252 with a .298 on-base percentage. This raises questions as George Springer, a previous leadoff mainstay, recorded a .303 OBP last season. Nonetheless, manager John Schneider highlights Giménez's ability to work pitches and make contact, which could complement the middle of the lineup, featuring the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander.

Despite last season’s struggles, hopes are high that Giménez can regain his 2022 form, where he boasted a .297 average and a .371 OBP. Meanwhile, Adam Macko will undergo a significant recovery from a meniscus surgery, sidelining him for an undetermined time, a setback for the pitching depth. The Blue Jays are also finalizing their spring training rotation, with promising arms like Easton Lucas and José Berríos set to take the mound in a series of upcoming games.

Jack Leiter, the Texas Rangers' second overall pick in 2021, is on a parallel career path to his father Al Leiter, who had a solid MLB career. While Al had a rocky start with a 6.35 ERA in his debut season, Jack's struggles have been even more pronounced with an 8.83 ERA. However, both pitchers exhibited immense potential, showcasing talent that suggests improvement is on the horizon.

Leiter's unique lineage—being the fourth member of the family to pitch in the majors—provides him with invaluable insights. His father emphasizes the importance of experience over mere statistics in a player's development. Despite early challenges, Jack’s late-season performance showed promise, indicating that he may soon realize his potential.