José Leclerc Stats
- Height / Weight
- 6' 0" / 190 lbs.
- Date of Birth (Age)
- 12/19/1993 (29)
- Experience
- 4
- College
- None
José Leclerc Season Stats
Last 10 Games
José Leclerc News
Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young named several players currently on the roster as potential options to serve as the team's closer in an interview Saturday, per the Athletic's Levi Weaver. This included Jose Leclerc, Jonathan Hernandez, Ian Kennedy, Danny Duffy, Brett Martin, and Brock Burke. Joe Barlow would also be considered in this mix. However, it sounded as though Leclerc would be the initial candidate given his history. The 29-year-old pitched well in 2022 after returning from Tommy John surgery, converting seven of nine save opportunities with a 2.83 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 27.3% strikeout rate. There are a number of players on the Rangers who have some closer experience, including Leclerc. The biggest issue for him has been walks, as he owns a career 5.32 BB/9 rate. The Rangers appear slated to be a more competitive team this season, so whoever is closing for them would hold fantasy value, although the role may not be consistent. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on further developments as things get closer to the start of the season.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc was able to escape with his second save of the season on Friday. The right-hander came in with a three-run lead, but that quickly changed. Leclerc walked Jeimer Candelario and then allowed to two-run home run to Riley Greene. After that, Leclerc gave up a single to Victor Reyes, but settled down after the hit. He retired the next two batters to end the game. It wasn't easy, but Leclerc was able to end the Tigers comeback attempt. Sadly, he doesn't have much fantasy value with Matt Moore, Jonathan Hernandez and Taylor Hearn in the mix for saves as well.
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc recorded his first save of the season Sunday, throwing a perfect inning with one strikeouts against the Seattle Mariners to secure a 5-3 victory. While Texas has been employing a committee approach to the late innings recently, LeClerc has some pedigree with 26 saves in the 2018 and 2019 seasons combined. He carries a 3.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 25 strikeouts in 28 innings this year, which aren't impressive enough to think he'll be regaining the role anytime soon.
Batting Order
| 1 | Marcus Semien |
| 2 | Nathaniel Lowe |
| 3 | Adolis García |
| 4 | Josh Jung |
| 5 | Josh H. Smith |
| 6 | Jonah Heim |
| 7 | Charlie Culberson |
| 8 | Leody Taveras |
| 9 | Bubba Thompson |
José Leclerc Stats
Last 10 Games
Batting Order
| 1 | Marcus Semien |
| 2 | Nathaniel Lowe |
| 3 | Adolis García |
| 4 | Josh Jung |
| 5 | Josh H. Smith |
| 6 | Jonah Heim |
| 7 | Charlie Culberson |
| 8 | Leody Taveras |
| 9 | Bubba Thompson |
After throwing just two innings over the last two years, Leclerc returned to the Rangers in late June and showed he could still sling it. He obviously wasn't inserted into high-leverage situations immediately after such a long recovery, but over his last 20 appearances of 2022 he secured seven saves and two holds. I'd like to say that means something positive in terms of trust from management for the 2023 season, but with Bruce Bochy being hired as the new manager there is some risk. In the past, Bochy has utilized more than one reliever as his closer. But in his most recent season with the Giants in 2019, Will Smith earned 34 out of the teams' 41 saves. With Jonathan Hernandez and Brock Burke also lurking as potential late-game matchup options for Bochy, it is unlikely any Rangers reliever is rocking 30+ saves at season's end. But Jose Leclerc is the veteran of the trio with the most closing experience and that should go a long ways with his new skipper. Leclerc finished 2022 with a 27.3 K%, 2.83 ERA (3.17 xERA), and a 1.13 WHIP. At an ADP of ~197 even roughly two-thirds of the save opportunities on the new-look Rangers will make Leclerc well-worth the draft pick.
