5 Texas Rangers the fanbase is losing patience with

The Texas Rangers are exceeding expectations thus far in 2023. They find themselves in sole possession of the AL West lead and are playing the best baseball the organization has ever produced. Despite, or perhaps because of the winning, there are five Rangers that fans seem to be losing their patience with.

Jose Leclerc - Texas Rangers relief pitcher

I could have easily included nearly all of the Rangers' bullpen in this list. It has been the glaring weakness this season and Jose Leclerc has been a disappointment to many fans. In fact, if some fans had their way, Chris Young would have DFA'd him a few weeks ago.

While I am probably in the minority here, I have not lost hope or complete faith in Leclerc. This could be based on the fact that I saw him pitch live, twice in the first week of the season and he was spot on both times. The first outing was on Opening Day, and he came in with a four-run lead and gave up no runs to secure the Rangers' win. The second outing that I saw was the following Wednesday, against Balitmore. Leclerc came in to start the ninth, yet again. He threw 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes and sat down the Orioles in order to record his first, and still only, save on the year.

I get that I probably saw peak Leclerc in these two outings, but it proves that he has the ability and stuff to be a back of the pen kind of guy. Honestly, my only complaint with Leclerc through those two outings, was his walk-in song. It was a very mellow song, that wasn't one that I would think a fire breathing dragon at the back end of a bullpen would make their entrance to. But I digress.

After averaging 96.4 mph on his four-seam fastball in 2022, Leclerc's velocity on the pitch has dropped to 94.6 this season. He has also increased his usage of the pitch from 36.6% to 47.1 %. Some of the velo drop could be that he is trying to throw strikes with it and not just letting it go. Leclerc's slider usage has dipped from 35.4% to 27.7% in 2023. Many players are electing to spit on the wipeout slider this season as he has had a difficult time throwing it for a strike.

The number of walks is the main thing that fans are upset about. In 15 1/3 innings pitched, Leclerc has issued 12 free passes and given up 12 hits. Some of the hits have been hard, but many of them have been on soft contact, which is actually encouraging. His strikeout percentage is down 5% this year to 22.4%, and his walk percentage is up 7% to 17.9%.

The bottom line is Leclerc needs to regain his confidence in throwing strikes and getting batters out. Easier said than done, but he is trending in a positive manner. Walks are bad for any pitcher, at any point in the game, but they are magnified and remembered more at the back end of the bullpen. Leclerc has actually been pitching better as of late, and hopefully he will build on those solid outings so he can once again be a sturdy option for Bruce Bochy to deploy.

Jonathan Hernandez - Texas Rangers relief pitcher

Jonathan Hernandez has electric stuff that dominated his last two healthy seasons. In both 2020, and the end of 2022, after returning from Tommy John surgery, Hernandez posted sub-3.00 ERAs. So far this year, not so much.

In 20 2/3 innings pitched, Hernandez has a 5.66 ERA, 21 strikeouts, 10 walks, has given up 19 hits (four of which were home runs), and has a 1.403 WHIP. The problem is that he is getting hit, and when he does, opponents are barreling him up at a much higher rate than last season. Hernandez's barrel percentage went from 4.7% last season to 13. 8% thus far in 2023.

Hernandez does seem to have lost some spin on his sinker, so perhaps that is a reason that he is getting hit more often. Or perhaps it is that he is somehow tipping his pitches, and other teams have figured something out. Given the quality of his repertoire, perhaps it is just an anomaly of a small sample size, and he will regress back to his mean and dominate the rest of the season.

Like Leclerc, Hernandez has been pitching better as of late, but that still doesn't keep the fans from being on edge when he enters the game right now. Hernandez isn't a piece that absolutely must do well for the Rangers to be successful this season. However, he is one that has the talent and the track record, that if he can get and stay right, will help the Rangers hold, save, and win many games over the next several months.

Bubba Thompson - Texas Rangers OF

It pains me a little to write about fans getting frustrated with Bubba Thompson, as I am a huge advocate of his unique skillset. The regrettable truth of the matter is Thompson is getting very few at bats this season and isn't taking advantage of them when they arise.

In 2023, Thompson has played in 35 games and yet only has 58 plate appearances. For the most part, he has been used as a late inning defensive replacement for Robbie Grossman and/or a pinch runner. With Grossman, Travis Jankowski, Leody Taveras, and Adolis Garcia getting most of the at bats from the outfield positions, it has been difficult for Thompson to break into the starting lineup.

There is no denying Thompson's speed. He comes in at 100% on sprint speed in all of MLB. With a team that is playing well and will be pushing for a playoff spot in September, he can still have a big impact on games without having to hit. One key defensive play or one stolen base at a critical time can make the difference in winning and losing in the playoffs. See exhibit A: game six of the 2011 World Series, if you don't believe me.

I get the frustration with Bubba at the plate, he has been horrific this season when batting. He is slashing .157/.228/.275, which is poor, to say the least. A trip back to Round Rock to get the bat lined out a bit and build his confidence would not be a bad thing. It would more importantly give him additional time on the bases for him to fine tune his stealing skills. Regardless of if Thompson does go back to Triple-A for a while or not, it is clear that Bochy loves what Thompson brings to the team and he will be a contributor in some way down the stretch and hopefully into October.

Chris Young - Texas Rangers GM

Fans are a funny, not funny, lot. Some get it, and some expect the world and perfection in every move and transaction that takes place within an organization. The idea that any Texas Rangers' fan would be losing patience with Chris Young, is nearly laughable. Last season we finished with 68 wins and this season have 35 at the 1/3 point.

Many are voicing their disdain for the bullpen and how he did nothing to fix it during the offseason. It is true that nothing was done to bolster the pen in the offseason, but he did go out and completely revamp the starting rotation into one of the best in the game. In 2022, the Rangers starting pitchers had a combined 4.63 ERA compared to the relievers 3.72 ERA. Fast forward to this season, and the starters have a 3.24 ERA and the relievers a 4.52 ERA. The bullpen doesn't have to be perfect, but if they can get back to where they were last season, things will start looking up for sure.

There is no one that is more aware and ready to make a move or two to bolster the bullpen, than CY. He hasn't come this far, with a team that is performing this well, to sit back and do nothing. If there were deals to be made now, he would make them, but there aren't. For one, even the worst team in the National League, the Washington Nationals, was only five games out of the wild card spot at the end of play on Tuesday. There will be more teams become sellers over the next month, but with so many teams still thinking they have a chance at the postseason, few moves will be made early.

Another issue with going out and getting bullpen help, is the fact that many contenders are going to be looking for the same thing. Bullpen arms are key to winning in the playoffs and in general, many pens have been struggling this season. CY will not leave the team hanging, he is working a process, and we must enjoy the ride and trust that it will work out.