MLB WORLD SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS RANGERS

October 28, 2023

Jose Leclerc

Globe Life Field

Texas Rangers

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. How are you feeling after last night, and what did you think of the bullpen's performance last night?

JOSE LECLERC: I think the bullpen pitched really well last night. I think Bochy used us really well in specific circumstances when we were needed. I think that was great. I still think we have to improve as a unit.

And at least for myself I think I can pitch again tonight if I'm needed. I didn't throw that many pitches, so I'm ready.

Q. Are you going to be on a pitch count tonight if you go?

JOSE LECLERC: No, I don't think so. I'm 100 percent good to pitch today. So whatever they ask me to do I'll do it.

Q. Wanted to ask about Jonah Heim. What have you seen in him and his development as a catcher working with pitchers in your time that you've been teammates?

JOSE LECLERC: I think that Jonah Heim has improved a lot as a catcher. We know yes he's a great offensive player, but I think as a catcher he's really improved his game.

We've improved as well working with him, so I think it's something that we both have to learn from each other. He improves as well as us when we're playing together. And I think it's just something that's going to keep getting better over time.

Q. You've appeared in, I think, almost every game this postseason. I guess physically how are you feeling, how are you holding up throughout this and through this final stretch here?

JOSE LECLERC: Like I said, I just think the preparation I put in before every game is crucial. I think I've been preparing really well before each game. I think that's allowed me to just go out there and be able to perform. So I think specifically just the pre-game preparation that I'm doing has allowed me to do that. And hopefully I'll continue that.

Q. You guys have a ton of starting pitchers in the bullpen, Jon, Dane, Cody, Martin -- what have they brought to the bullpen, and what kind of wrinkle have they added to that unit?

JOSE LECLERC: I think it's been great for the team. Each one of them has been preparing as if they're going to pitch any day. That's an added bonus that we have in the bullpen.

But you saw last night, you saw Cody come in. I believe Dunning was also there pitching. They just brought a different element. They were there, helped us out. So I think it's helped us out as a unit that they're always prepared and ready, helps us out.

Q. Is your mom still here? And what has it been like to share some of these experiences with her? What has her reaction been?

JOSE LECLERC: I think it's something super special for me. My mom's always been there. She's helped me form the person I am there today. She celebrates everything that happens. She's let me know, even back home when we were she would always be there praying to God, making sure I would do well.

And not just my mother; everyone in my family, all my friends, they've all been cheering for me, they've all been there for me. And that's something good for me.

Q. Torey Lovullo said earlier that the crowd last night on the Corey Seager home run was the loudest he's ever heard in his entire life. What did you think of the crowd last night?

JOSE LECLERC: I think it was something that was super emotional. You could see from the beginning of the game, Arizona pitchers are pitching outside. They weren't trying to pitch in the strike zone to Corey. Seeing that emotion come out from him was really inspiring. It was really emotional, seeing that from him. It's something that's been great for the team.

Q. Could you talk about what it took to come back mentally after that Game 5 loss in the NLCS, to be pitching as well as you've been pitching since?

JOSE LECLERC: I think it was something when it happened, it was difficult for me to try to move on from that. But Bruce Bochy, he had the trust in me, he had the confidence and trust in me in the next game. I think that just helped me put it away in the past.

Q. You're one of the guys that's been around for the longest around here. You've been through a lot. You were here for the 102-loss season, the injury. What's the turning point for you both personally and this team that's gotten things back on track, and how do you think things are set up to continue success in the future?

JOSE LECLERC: I think as a team and franchise we've always had good hitters. I think our batting numbers offensively we've been pretty good. I think before the beginning of the season we saw the franchise went out and signed some starting pitchers.

I think the pitching has been key, the players they brought in. When we came into Spring Training, we all behaved as a family. We all felt that we were together, and we've been a good, cohesive unit and that's how we've been able to be successful.