Jose LeClerc

Position: RHP
Born: 12/19/1993
Height: 6'0
Weight: 190
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent (Dominican Republic) on November 20, 2010 (TEX).

Most Recent Stats at Time of Debut
CURRENT SEASON STATS: 1-5 with a 2.64 ERA in 22 games, two of them starts, between Frisco (Double-A) and Round Rock (Triple-A), striking out 50 and walking 23 while scattering 27 hits in 44.1 IP and limiting opposing hitters to a .179 BAA.

Info & MLB Debut Date
Recalled from Round Rock July 5 when LHP Michael Roth was designated for assignment.
MLB Debut Date: 7/6/2016

Debut Details
July 6, in an 11-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The second of three pitchers, he tossed 2.2 innings of one-hit shutout ball, walking two and striking out four. Coming on to start the fifth inning in relief of starter Martin Perez, he showed that he could pitch out of a jam in that first frame. After striking out the first big-league batter he faced, Ryan Hanigan, swinging, he then surrendered a double to left field to Mookie Betts and walked Dustin Pedroia. After striking Xander Bogaerts out swinging, he walked David Ortiz to load the bases but got Hanley Ramirez to ground into a force out at second base. He then retired the next five batters in a row, including both Bryce Brentz (in the sixth) and Betts (in the seventh) swinging before giving way to reliever Tony Barnette with two outs and no one on in the seventh.

Player Notes
With a repertoire that includes a fastball in the mid-90s, a curveball and two different changeups, it’s not surprise that the Rangers tried LeClerc out as a starter last summer, but he struggled in the starting role, going 6-8 with a 5.77 ERA in 26 games at Frisco. It appears that despite the loaded arsenal, he is just better suited in the big picture to a relief role, which is where he has sparkled, and that seems to be where the Rangers are keeping him now. In six seasons, he’s combined for a 3.63 career ERA but that includes the 2015 campaign. In 2014 as a reliever at Myrtle Beach (High A) he posted a 3.30 ERA with 14 saves and 79 strikeouts in 57.1 IP with a .193 average against, coming after his first full season at Hickory (Class A) in 2013 when he was 3-4 with a 3.36 ERA and 77 strikeouts against 21 walks in 59 innings.