3 relievers with rebound potential the Pirates should sign this offseason

Jose Leclerc

Jose Leclerc had two seasons in a row with an ERA under 3.00 in 2022 and 2023. The right-hander worked to the tune of a 2.75 ERA, 3.67 FIP, and 1.14 WHIP during that time. He struck out 28.1% of his opponents with an above-average 0.86 HR/9 rate through 104.2 innings pitched. He handed out his fair share of walks with an 11.1% BB%, but that has long been the name of Leclerc's game, as he's managed to persevere.

In 2024, coming off additional workload during the Rangers' World Series run, Leclerc had a 4.32 ERA, though most of his peripherals were similar or better. He walked 11.1% of his opponents with a 0.95 HR/9. His strikeout rate clocked in at 30.9%, which was his highest K% since 2019. Leclerc's 66.2 innings pitched also represented the second-most he's tossed in a single season. 

On the batted ball side of things, Leclerc had an above-average 87.4 MPH exit velocity and 7.4% barrel rate. He posted an identical 7.4% barrel percentage in 2022-2023 and a comparable 86.2 MPH exit velo between the two seasons. On top of that, Leclerc had a 110 Stuff+ rating, compared to 108 over the two prior seasons.

Leclerc had a great season in the eyes of multiple underlying numbers. He was in the 68th percentile of xERA at 3.68 while holding opponents to an xwOBA of .300. Both Leclerc's 3.22 SIERA and 3.66 xFIP represented the lowest marks he's put up since 2018.

Leclerc is entering his age-31 season, and there are a lot of reasons why his 2024 ERA looks like a complete fluke. He's got great stuff, and hard-throwing pitchers with high spin are the sort of players Strom likes to work with. Leclerc could definitely find himself as one of the Pirates' closing options if the Bucs were to sign the veteran right-hander.