Jose Leclerc

Jose Leclerc

30-Year-Old PitcherRP
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Leclerc opened 2023 in somewhat of a closer committee with Will Smith, but too many free passes forced the Rangers to scale back his high leverage workload. After some time pitching in low leverage spots, Leclerc landed on the IL with a right ankle sprain. He missed two weeks of action, then was much better upon his return, posting a 2.16 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 42:13 K:BB over the final three months (33.2 innings). On his strong performance, the right-hander worked his way back up Texas' leverage ladder, finishing the regular season with 4 saves, 8 holds and respectable ratios. Leclerc tacked on another 4 saves across 13 playoff appearances, giving him some momentum heading into the 2024 season. With the Rangers exercising their $6.25 million option, Leclerc will continue to ride the success of his slider (.119 BAA, 49.6% whiff rate last season), but his perennially high walk rate may impact how many save chances he gets. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
#217
ADP
$Signed a four-year, $14.75 million contract extension with the Rangers in March of 2019. Rangers exercised $6 million team option for 2023 in November of 2022. Rangers exercised $6.25 million team option for 2024 in November of 2023.
Takes loss Monday
PTexas Rangers  
May 14, 2024
Leclerc (3-3) was charged with Monday's loss against the Guardians, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning.
ANALYSIS
Starter Michael Lorenzen pitched well enough to win -- he fired seven shutout innings -- but he got little support from the offense or the bullpen, which ceded seven runs over the final two innings. It started with Leclerc, who has allowed runs in three consecutive appearances (five runs, four hits, three walks, three innings). The team's closer to start the season, Leclerc had shifted back to lower-leverage outings and worked his way back with a stretch of nine scoreless innings prior to this recent three-game downturn. His ERA now stands at 6.88 with a 1.71 WHIP and 15 walks over 17 innings.
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Pitching Stats
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2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
19
Last 10 Games
15
Last 5 Games
20
How many pitches does Jose Leclerc generally throw?
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
What part of the game does Jose Leclerc generally pitch?
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-25%
BAA vs RHP
2024
 
 
-34%
BAA vs RHP
2023
 
 
-43%
BAA vs RHP
2022
 
 
-17%
BAA vs LHP
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2022vs Left .241 279 66 45 55 13 0 6
Since 2022vs Right .181 440 144 36 71 13 0 11
2024vs Left .291 106 23 18 25 2 0 2
2024vs Right .193 182 66 14 31 7 0 5
2023vs Left .262 75 17 12 16 4 0 1
2023vs Right .149 158 50 16 21 3 0 4
2022vs Left .173 98 26 15 14 7 0 3
2022vs Right .209 100 28 6 19 3 0 2
More Splits View More Split Stats
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-43%
ERA on Road
2024
 
 
-42%
ERA on Road
2023
 
 
-55%
ERA on Road
2022
 
 
-24%
ERA on Road
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2022Home 4.29 1.31 86.0 3 7 8 11.5 4.8 1.2
Since 2022Away 2.43 1.10 85.1 3 3 4 10.5 3.7 0.6
2024Home 5.40 1.37 35.0 3 4 1 12.3 4.6 1.3
2024Away 3.13 1.26 31.2 3 1 0 11.7 4.0 0.6
2023Home 3.86 1.48 25.2 0 0 3 10.5 6.3 0.7
2023Away 1.72 0.86 31.1 0 2 1 10.6 2.9 0.9
2022Home 3.20 1.07 25.1 0 3 4 11.4 3.6 1.4
2022Away 2.42 1.21 22.1 0 0 3 8.9 4.4 0.4
More Splits View More Split Stats
Stat Review
How does Jose Leclerc compare to other relievers?
This section compares his stats with all relief pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 30 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 30 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • K/BB
    Strikeout to walk ratio.
  • K/9
    Average strikeouts per nine innings.
  • BB/9
    Average walks per nine innings.
  • HR/9
    Average home runs allowed per nine innings.
  • Fastball
    Average fastball velocity.
  • ERA
    Earned run average. The average earned runs allowed per nine innings.
  • WHIP
    Walks plus hits per inning pitched.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits.
  • GB/FB
    Groundball to flyball ratio. The higher the number, the more likely a pitcher is to induce groundballs.
  • Left On Base
    The percentage of base runners that a pitcher strands on base over the course of a season.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Barrels/BBE
    The percentage of batted ball events resulting in a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Spin Rate
    Spin Rate is the rate of spin on a baseball after it is released. It is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
  • Balls Hit 95+ MPH
    The percentage of batted balls hit that met or exceeded the 95 MPH threshold.
  • Swinging Strike
    The percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss.
K/BB
2.78
 
K/9
12.0
 
BB/9
4.3
 
HR/9
0.9
 
Fastball
95.3 mph
 
ERA
4.32
 
WHIP
1.32
 
BABIP
.331
 
GB/FB
0.93
 
Left On Base
70.3%
 
Exit Velocity
80.2 mph
 
Barrels/BBE
3.9%
 
Spin Rate
2510 rpm
 
Balls Hit 95+ MPH
19.0%
 
Swinging Strike
16.2%
 
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jose Leclerc See More
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Leclerc finally returned last season, overcoming a 2020 shoulder strain, then Tommy John surgery the subsequent year. He made his season debut in mid-June and spent about two months pitching in lower-leverage scenarios to regain his footing after the extended absence. The right-hander's fastball velocity (96.5 mph on average) was in line with his pre-injury seasons, but he gave up a poor .298 BA and .579 SLG on the pitch. Despite those poor results, Leclerc's slider and changeup were excellent, both producing whiff rates over 42%. By mid-August, he was back in the mix for saves and finished the year with seven, including six of the Rangers' final eight saves. After Texas picked up Leclerc's $6 million team option for 2023, we can tentatively pencil him into the closer chair, but this bullpen is under construction and roles could fluctuate.
Leclerc began the season as the Rangers' closer, notching a save in the second game of the season. He only appeared in one more game before being placed on the 45-day IL with a Grade 2 strain of the teres major in his right shoulder. Leclerc was ruled out for the season in early September. He did not undergo surgery, so we won't know how healthy his shoulder is until he starts throwing this spring. If healthy, he'll be a top candidate to close for a Rangers team that traded Rafael Montero and looks primed to embrace a rebuild. To recapture the job, Leclerc will need to hone his control as walks have always been his Achilles' heel. While there's a chance Leclerc ends up in the saves picture, Jonathan Hernandez, Demarcus Evans and others will provide competition for the role in spring training.
The Rangers inked Leclerc to an extension March 6 after his breakout 2018 season. He was out as the closer less than two months later, though manager Chris Woodward was insistent the demotion was temporary and indeed Leclerc did return to closing after the trade deadline. At the end of April, Leclerc had an 8.44 ERA and nine walks in 10.2 innings, with two blown saves in seven chances before being relieved of ninth-inning duties. Things were a bit smoother for Leclerc over the final two months, as he went 9-for-10 in save chances with a 4.29 ERA, though the walk issues were still very much prevalent. For his career, Leclerc has a 15 BB%, and it can be argued his 2018 was driven by exceedingly good HR/FB luck. Emmanuel Clase emerged down the stretch and looked like a real threat to Leclerc's closing job in 2020, but Clase was traded to Cleveland in the offseason, affording Leclerc more breathing room.
Thanks to his poor finish to the 2017 campaign, Leclerc spent the first month of the 2018 season shuttling between Triple-A Round Rock and the majors. The right-hander ultimately emerged as one of the Rangers' primary setup men in May following a stretch of seven scoreless appearances, and his continued success earned him the closer's role after Keone Kela was dealt to Pittsburgh at the end of July. Leclerc was dominant after taking over in the ninth inning, converting all 12 of his save chances while notching a 29:6 K:BB across 18 scoreless innings. His improved control was key to his breakout season, as he dropped his walk rate to 3.9 BB/9 after posting a 7.9 BB/9 over his first two seasons. Leclerc figures to reprise his role as closer to begin 2019, and while his save chances may be limited on a rebuilding team, the 24-year-old should still provide value with his impressive ratios (1.56 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13.3 K/9 in 2018).
Midway through his rookie season, the 24-year-old Leclerc appeared as though he might be the best reliever in the Texas bullpen and seemed primed to get a look as closer after Matt Bush was pulled from the role in late June. Alas, Alex Claudio ultimately captured closing duties, while Leclerc's second-half implosion effectively resulted in manager Jeff Banister dropping him from the setup ranks. Finding the strike zone was the foremost problem for Leclerc, who finished with a 20:24 K:BB in 19.1 innings after the break. An 11.8 K/9 rate and .146 batting average against speaks to the upside Leclerc possesses when he's able to throw strikes, but he may be in need of some mechanical adjustments, considering his issues with walking batters were also prevalent throughout his minor-league career. Until Leclerc demonstrates significant improvement with his control, the Rangers aren't likely to trust him as a key cog of the bridge to the ninth inning.
Leclerc continues to climb up the Rangers' prospect ranks thanks to another strong showing in the minor leagues. He began the season with Double-A Frisco, but his 10.96 K/9 n 23 innings earned him a promotion to the Triple-A ranks. The 23-year-old continued fanning batters during his time at Round Rock, as he held a 10.5 K/9 and an ERA 80 points better than at his previous stop. All of this culminated in a September call-up, when he held his own with one strikeout per inning. Not everything was perfect for the right-hander, however. His control still leaves much to be desired, shown by his 51 walks across the three levels. His 0.65 GB/FB with Texas also doesn't read well for a pitcher who will eventually pitch in one of the most hitter-friendly environments in the American League. Of course, Leclerc should be afforded the opportunity to compete for a major league roster spot out of spring training, although he will likely be given additional time at Triple-A to begin the season with the goal of improving his command.
More Fantasy News
Wins in scoreless outing
PTexas Rangers  
April 27, 2024
Leclerc (2-2) earned the win Friday, striking out two over a scoreless eighth inning against Cincinnati.
ANALYSIS
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Earns win in setup role
PTexas Rangers  
April 18, 2024
Leclerc (1-2) picked up the win Thursday, allowing two walks and striking out two over one scoreless inning in a 9-7 victory over the Tigers.
ANALYSIS
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Moved to low leverage, for now
PTexas Rangers  
April 12, 2024
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said after Friday's game that Leclerc will be working low-leverage situations temporarily, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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No panic from manager
PTexas Rangers  
April 10, 2024
Texas manager Bruce Bochy did not indicate any changes at closer after Leclerc blew a save Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports. "We're just over a week here into the season," Bochy said. "These guys, with what they've done, no, I don't have concern."
ANALYSIS
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Charged with blown save
PTexas Rangers  
April 10, 2024
Leclerc allowed two runs on one hit and a walk in one inning and was charged with a blown save in a 4-3 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday. He struck out two.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Potential trade piece
PTexas Rangers  
July 10, 2024
According to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the Rangers could attempt to trade LeClerc ahead of the July 30 deadline.
ANALYSIS
The 30-year-old entered the campaign as Texas' closer, but he was pushed into a lower-leverage role in mid-April after surrendering eight runs in his first five outings of the season. LeClerc has pitched better over the past month and a half with a 1.71 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB, so he could garner some interest on the trade market given his expiring contract.
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