Friday night during the Rangers festivities, they dropped in some bull pen news. 2019 would see a new permanent closer. Jose LeClerc, who won the Rangers pitcher of the year honors, will be the closer in 2019. The twenty five year old right handed pitcher appeared in 59 games in 2018. LeClerc had an ERA of 1.56 while striking out 85.
Subsequently, the rest of the bull pen is starting to fall into place as well. Here is how it is stacking up as of today:
Jose LeClerc – Closer
Chris Martin – right handed set up man
Jesse Chavez – right handed set up man
Zach McAllister – right handed relief pitcher
Connor Sadzeck – right handed relief/long relief pitcher
Jeffrey Springs – left handed relief pitcher
Nick Gardewine – right handed relief pitcher
C.D. Pelham – left handed relief pitcher
As of the day I am writing this, these are the guys the Rangers have listed in the pen. This will not be the final list, I assure you. Others will have a great spring training and rise up the ranks. Some will have a bad spring and drop off this list.
Here are a few things that I am looking forward to seeing in 2019:
- How will Connor Sadzeck do pitching in an entire major league season?
- How will Jose LeClerc perform as a closer?
- Will Zach McAllister have a bounce back year after injury?
- Will Jesse Chavez be traded mid-season again?
These questions and more are on my mind and I start preparing myself for the 2019 season. What questions do you have? Leave your thoughts in the comment section down below or as always you can comment on our Facebook or Twitter accounts. Thanks for reading!
