Jose Leclerc promoted to Round Rock

The Texas Rangers have promoted righthanded reliever Jose Leclerc from AA Frisco to AAA Round Rock.  Righthanded reliever John Fasola is taking Leclerc's spot on the Frisco roster.

Leclerc, 22, is already on the 40 man roster, and with the Rangers' issues in the bullpen so far this season, he could be a candidate to be in the major leagues before too long.  Leclerc worked exclusively as a reliever until last season, when the Rangers used him in the rotation for AA Frisco.  He started the 2016 season in the rotation as well, but after a couple of starts went to the bullpen.

Leclerc has been lights out since transitioning to a relief role, putting up a 1.20 ERA in 15 IP, with 21 Ks against just 4 walks.  Leclerc throws hard and has long seen as having late-inning relief potential, so he's someone to keep an eye on going forward.

Fasola, meanwhile, has spent most of the season in High Desert, although he also had a brief stint in Round Rock when they needed arms.  The 24 year old split last season between low-A Hickory and high-A High Desert.  A 31st round draft pick out of Kent State in 2014, Fasola has a career 11.5 K/9 against a 2.0 BB/9 in the minors, and has put himself on the map as a potential future major league reliever.