The Texas Rangers hope to see progress from two important returning players, in addition to strengthening their bullpen through trades and free agency. José Leclerc pitched in nearly every game leading up to the World Series, while Josh Sborz recorded the game’s last out for the Rangers. Both players were instrumental in the team’s playoff success.

Bruce Bochy, the manager of the Rangers, is optimistic that the team’s postseason success will translate into a successful 2019–20 season. He conveys a great deal of confidence in their capacity to discover their game at the appropriate moment.

Though the Rangers have faith in Leclerc and Sborz, they are also taking steps to bolster their bullpen. They picked Carson Coleman from the New York Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft and inked a one-year contract with Kirby Yates of the Atlanta Braves.

Leclerc was the Rangers’ closer at first during the season, but he was fired shortly after. He had a 2.68 ERA at the end of the season, a 0-2 record, and just four saves. Bochy acknowledges that Leclerc’s early-season health issues had an impact on his play. He sprained his right ankle and was placed on the injured list for a while.

As a set-up man for Will Smith and Aroldis Chapman, Leclerc worked on his control, velocity, and general health. As his health improved, he finally moved up to tighter circumstances from low-leverage ones. Leclerc was especially good in September, saving two games and giving up only three runs in 13 outings.

Leclerc continued to play well into the postseason, making 13 appearances, recording four saves, and striking out fourteen hitters. The Rangers selected his 2024 contract option because they thought he had enough potential to finish.

Regarding Sborz, he remembers believing that his September 4th game versus Houston would be his last due to his subpar play. But the next day, he was placed on the injured list because of a pulled hamstring. The Rangers employed the Trackman system to hone his delivery and pitch shape while he was sidelined. Sborz pitched in ten games during the World Series, collecting five holds and a save, and those changes proved to be crucial.

With a 0.75 ERA in the postseason, Sborz was quite effective, allowing just four hits and four walks while striking out thirteen. Bochy commends Sborz for his capacity to overcome obstacles and keep command of every pitch.

While Sborz is about to enter salary arbitration for the first time, Leclerc is about to enter the last year of his contract with the Rangers. After their impressive postseason performances, Bochy anticipates that both relievers will be more confident when they report to spring training in February.

“I am confident that they will enter Spring Training as the same guys we were, if not more so,” Bochy stated. “They did it during the season, but now that they’re in the postseason, they’re even more confident because they’re throwing like that.”