Wade LeBlanc

Wade LeBlanc

LeBlanc pitching for the Padres in March 2009
Toronto Blue Jays
Pitcher
Born: (1984-08-07) August 7, 1984
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 3, 2008, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
(through 2014 season)
Win–loss record 21–33
Earned run average 4.47
Strikeouts 302
Teams

Wade Matthew LeBlanc (born August 7, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Amateur career

LeBlanc was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 36th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft, but instead decided to attend the University of Alabama, where he played college baseball for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Professional career

San Diego Padres

2006-07: Draft and pro debut

The San Diego Padres selected LeBlanc in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft.

He posted a 5-1 record and a 3.02 ERA in 14 games, 10 starts, from Short-Season Eugene Emeralds and the Class-A Fort Wayne TinCaps in 2006. On June 29 against the Vancouver Canadians he earned his first win in his professional debut, tossing one scoreless inning of relief. He was promoted to Fort Wayne on July 24. He tossed four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out seven in his Wizards' debut on July 28. He won his final three starts from August 18 to September 2, giving up just two runs over 15 innings. He struck out a season-high eight batters over five scoreless innings on August 27.

2008–2011: Call-up and struggles

LeBlanc prior to a Padres game in September 2011

LeBlanc spent the majority of the 2008 season with the Triple-A Portland Beavers, pitching in 26 games, 25 starts. He ranked second in the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts with 139 and tied for third in wins with 11. He was the third Portland pitcher and the first left-handed pitcher since the team returned to the PCL in 2001 to reach the 11-win mark. He won the PCL Pitcher of the Week award on two occasions.

He was called up to the Majors for the first time on September 1, 2008. He made his Major League debut on September 3, but struggled, pitching four innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, with one strikeout.

He picked up first Major League win on September 15 against the Colorado Rockies, yielding four runs over six innings with six strikeouts.

Miami Marlins

On November 22, 2011, San Diego traded LeBlanc to the Miami Marlins for John Baker.[1][2] He was sent to triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.

On June 30, 2012, LeBlanc was called up by the Marlins to replace Edward Mujica who was placed on the disabled list with a fractured toe.[3] He played his first game as a Marlin on July 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers, and went 0.2 of an inning. With Carlos Zambrano struggling, Ozzie Gullien moved Zambrano to the bullpen and let LeBlanc take his spot in the rotation. As a starter, LeBlanc went 1-4. Overall, he pitched in 25 games(9 starts) with a 3.67 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, 19 walks, 43 strikeouts, a 2-5 record in 68.2 innings pitched.

LeBlanc began 2013 as the fourth member of the Marlins rotation, where he made 7 starts before being moved to the bullpen in favor of Tom Koehler. He was designated for assignment on June 3, 2013, 1 day after picking up his first win in 2013. In 13 games with Miami, he went 1-5 with a 5.18 ERA, striking out 31 in 48.2 innings.

Houston Astros

LeBlanc was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros on June 8, 2013,[4] and he was inserted in the bullpen. After making 3 appearances, including one on June 23 where he gave up 4 runs in 1.2 innings, he was designated for assignment on June 24.[5] He was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City 2 days later. He was called back up on August 19. He came in the game that day, giving up 5 runs (1 earned) in 2.2 innings of relief. He was designated for assignment the next day, and was outrighted to Oklahoma City 2 days later, where he finished the season. In 19 games (7 starts) with the RedHawks, he went 3-1 with a 4.71 ERA, striking out 47 in 49.2 innings. After the year, LeBlanc became a minor league free agent.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

On November 11, 2013, LeBlanc was signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring training.[6] He began the year with Triple-A Salt Lake, where in 9 starts, he went 5-1 with a 3.69 ERA and 43 strikeouts. LeBlanc joined the Angels on May 25, 2014, with the intention of being the starting pitcher later in the week.[7] He never ended up starting with the Angels. However, on May 30, he pitched 6.1 innings in relief of that day's starter Garrett Richards, who went 0.2 innings while giving up 5 runs, and LeBlanc allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits, striking out 4 batters. The next day on May 31, LeBlanc was designated for assignment by the Angels.[8]

New York Yankees

On June 3, 2014, LeBlanc was claimed on waivers from the Angels by the New York Yankees.[9] He was designated for assignment on June 11.[10] He made one appearance with the Yankees, pitching an inning of relief on June 4, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. LeBlanc elected free agency on June 15.

Second stint with Angels

On June 17, 2014, LeBlanc re-signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on a minor league deal.[11] He made one appearance for the team before being designated for assignment on August 26.[12] He was called back up on September 2. LeBlanc made a start on September 23, 2014, pitching 5+ innings in a combined shutout against the Oakland Athletics.

Saitama Seibu Lions

On December 12, 2014, LeBlanc signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of NPB.[13]

Toronto Blue Jays

On December 17, 2015, LeBlanc signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that includes an invitation to spring training.[14] He was assigned to minor league camp on March 18.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Brock, Corey (November 22, 2011). "Padres add catcher Baker in trade with Marlins". MLB.com. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Marlins acquire pitcher Wade LeBlanc". Associated Press. November 22, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  3. ↑ http://www.miamiherald.com › Sports › Miami Marlins & MLB
  4. ↑ Astros claim lefty Wade LeBlanc
  5. ↑ http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/06/astros-designate-wade-lebanc-for-assignment.html
  6. ↑ DiGiovanna, Mike (November 11, 2013). "Angels sign left-hander Wade LeBlanc to minor-league contract". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ↑ Shaikin, Bill (May 25, 2014). "Angels demote Matt Shoemaker, call up Wade LeBlanc". Los Angeles Times.
  8. ↑ "Angels designate LeBlanc for assignment". Associated Press. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  9. ↑ Todd, Jeff (June 3, 2014). "Yankees Claim Wade LeBlanc From Angels". MLb Trade Runors. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Yankees activate Kelley, acquire Huff from SF". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 11, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ Todd, Jeff (June 17, 2014). "Angels Sign Wade LeBlanc". MLB Trade Rumors.
  12. ↑ "Angels drop LeBlanc after 1 start, select Herrera". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/wade-leblanc-signs-with-seibu-lions.html
  14. ↑ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (December 17, 2015). "Report: Blue Jays sign Wade LeBlanc to minor-league contract". Sportsnet. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  15. ↑ Chisholm, Gregor (March 18, 2016). "Pompey among 4 Blue Jays reassigned". MLB.com. Retrieved March 18, 2016.

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