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ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc appears to be making the most of a change to the closer's role. With both Keone Kela and Jake Diekman shipped off to contenders at the non-waiver trade deadline. Leclerc has seen his fantasy value sky rocket. The 24-year-old has always missed bats at an impressive clip (12.53 strikeouts/nine this season), but this year he has improved his control substantially. While he had nowhere to go but down from last year's horrific 7.88 BB/9 and 20.0 BB%, this year's marks (4.1 BB/9, 11.5 BB%) represent a major step forward. When you rack up strikeouts and limit home runs as well as Leclerc does, you can get away with that level of wildness.
Texas does not really have any other appealing options for the closer role, so you can expect Leclerc to get most of their save opportunities down the stretch. He only has one save this season, as well as 15 holds, and has a 2.16 ERA in 41 2/3 innings. Despite that, he remains available on the wire in three-quarters of leagues. Any owner in need of saves should pick him up immediately.
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