Kiefer Sutherland discusses a baseball prospect named Jack Bauer.

Actor Kiefer Sutherland Takes Interest in MLB Draft Prospect Named After His Character

Federal agent Jack Bauer, from the beloved TV series “24,” now shares a name with an MLB Draft hopeful.

Kiefer Sutherland, the actor who portrayed the character, recently mentioned he’s been keeping an eye on a young pitcher named Jack Bauer, who’s wearing jersey No. 24 as a nod to the show.

It turns out, Sutherland is somewhat of a fan himself.

“Seeing someone thrive at such a young age is intriguing, and the fact that his parents chose the name Jack makes it fun for me,” Sutherland shared with MLB.com. “I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest baseball fan, but now there’s a reason for me to be interested.”

Jack Bauer, the pitcher, is ranked as MLB.com’s 44th draft prospect. He’s made headlines for his impressive 103 mph fastball, marking him as one of the hardest-throwing high school players ever.

The 18-year-old, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 190 pounds, hails from Lincoln Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois. He’s expected to be picked in this year’s draft, which kicks off on Sunday and wraps up next Monday.

After the draft, the younger Bauer will decide whether to sign with the team that selects him or head to college baseball in Mississippi, where he’s committed to play.

Bauer mentioned on the MLB Pipeline Podcast that he hasn’t watched “24” yet, but he aspires to wear No. 24 and “hopefully make a cameo or two.”

“I think that will happen in the future,” he said. “I’ve heard great things about the show.”

Sutherland, responding to this, chuckled, “I doubt he’ll find time to watch it anytime soon. But when he does, I hope he enjoys it.”

Though Sutherland isn’t deeply invested in baseball currently, he has fond memories of following the Montreal Expos, largely influenced by his father, the iconic actor Donald Sutherland, who was a devoted fan.

“He was a massive fan,” Sutherland recalled. “He even insisted on finding time to watch Expos games while filming in China back in the ’80s. He was committed to the team, no matter where he was.”