PT TOMORROW: AL West—An Elite-in-progress?

Texas Rangers

Keone Kela's trade to the Pirates wasn't a predictable thing, but those paying close attention saw José Leclerc (RHP, TEX) beginning to come fast back in June, before we last highlighted his progress in this space a month later. Leclerc's stuff has never taken a back seat to any reliever's, as noted by a career 12.0 Dom and 16 SwK through 107 MLB IP. The problem has always been Leclerc's 6.1 Ctl, seen at its worst over his final 23 IP (10.7 Ctl) in 2018. At least walks were a problem until early this summer. And suddenly now Leclerc owns eye-popping 2H numbers—including a 1.02/2.26 ERA/xERA, 228 BPV, 1.9 Ctl and 61% FpK through 18 IP. A 29/3 K/BB (19% SwK) during this stretch.

Obviously Leclerc still has plenty to prove...

Almost!

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