6 years agoJose Leclerc came into the 2018 season as an erratic closer – a right-hander with an electric fastball and changeup but with serious command problems. In 2017, Leclerc had suffered through a 20% walk rate. Not only did he have trouble finding the strike zone, but he struggled to get batters to swing at pitches outside the zone as well. The result was a pitiful 10% K%-BB% and a 1.38 WHIP. In 2018, Leclerc began relying on his fastball more often and found the zone more frequently. Working ahead in the count allowed the reliever to leverage his changeup with fewer concerns about falling behind batters. The difference was almost immediate to start the 2018 season: His K%-BB% improved to 26.9% and his WHIP dropped to 0.85. After Texas traded Keone Kela to Pittsburgh, Leclerc took control of the closer’s job. Even though Leclerc finished the year with four blown saves in his 21 chances, all of his blown saves came earlier in the year when he was filling in for Kela. Leclerc was perfect after being named the Rangers’ official closer in August. For 2019, Leclerc compares favorably to closers being drafted near him, in the 10th round. He holds a strikeout advantage over more established names like Wade Davis, Sean Doolittle, and Kirby Yates. While all closers are subject to volatility, unless Leclerc suffers a meltdown or catastrophic injury, he should be a bet for at least 30 saves, a near 1.00 WHIP, an ERA around 3, and about 80 Ks.--David Emerick