Former Rider Jose Leclerc promoted to big leagues
FRISCO, TEXAS (July 5, 2016) - The Texas Rangers announced Tuesday that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Jose Leclerc, promoting him to the Major Leagues for the first time in his career. Leclerc was added to the 40-man roster on November 20 and is seeking his Major League debut with the Rangers, as they take on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park tonight. Leclerc is the 145th former RoughRiders player to make the big leagues and second from this year's RoughRiders club, joining former teammate, pitcher Matt Bush.
Leclerc, 22, was a member of the RoughRiders' Opening Day roster and pitched in 10 games for Frisco. After making two starts in April, he transitioned to the bullpen and made eight relief appearances and two starts. Leclerc had an ERA of 7.88 in his two starts but allowed just two earned runs in 14.0 innings of relief, good for a 1.29 ERA. Opponents batted .135 against him in eight relief outings.
After being promoted to Triple-A Round Rock on May 23, Leclerc made 12 additional appearances out of the bullpen for the Express. The righty had an ERA of 1.69, allowing just four runs on 10 hits in 21 1/3 innings pitched.
The Esperanza, Dominican Republic native led Rangers farmhands with 14 saves in 2014 and struck out 32 percent of batters. This year, Leclerc has already totaled 50 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings pitched with Frisco and Round Rock.
Leclerc joins six former Riders who have made the Major Leagues for the first time this season: Nomar Mazara (2014-2015 with Frisco, debuted with Texas Rangers), Brett Nicholas (2013 with Frisco, Rangers), Cody Ege (2015 with Frisco, Miami Marlins), Matt Bush (2016 with Frisco, Rangers), Jared Hoying (2012-2013 with Frisco, Rangers), and Richard Bleier (2012-2013 with Frisco, New York Yankees).
The RoughRiders wrap up their six-game road trip Tuesday at 5:35 p.m. against Northwest Arkansas.
The Riders return home to begin a six-game homestand starting Wednesday against the Arkansas Travelers and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The homestand includes a Michael Gruber (@tweetgrubes) bobblehead giveaway on Thursday, Salute to 8-bit and Arcades Night on Friday, Princess Night on Saturday, and a Smiling Teddy pillow giveaway for the first 1,500 kids 12-and-younger on Sunday. Tickets for the upcoming homestand and other remaining games this season are available now online at RidersBaseball.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (972) 731-9200, or in-person at the RoughRiders box office.
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 11 seasons (2005-2015). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju. The new ownership group, together with the city of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements over the past two seasons, investing over $7 million in wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including the new state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store, and the newest and biggest creation, the 174-foot Choctaw Lazy River. The improvements made prior to the 2015 season earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, and C.J. Wilson as well as current Rangers stars Derek Holland, Rougned Odor, and Mitch Moreland. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Nathan Barnett at (972) 334-1976 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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