Quebecer Charles Leblanc will represent Canada at the World Baseball Classic in 2023. This was learned on Saturday, when the Miami Marlins player was in Laval for an autograph session.
“I’ve already confirmed that I’m going to play for the Canadian team,” said Leblanc in view of the major international competition scheduled for March. Other than perhaps the Olympics, it’s the biggest event in baseball in the world. There will be several great ball players in this tournament. I’m really looking forward to seeing what it will bring. »
In Group C, Canada will face, in a round robin tournament scheduled in Arizona, the United States, Colombia, Mexico and Great Britain. Several other countries will compete, in parallel, in Miami, Tokyo and on the island of Taiwan.
Before this big meeting, Leblanc continues his preparation for the next training camp of the Marlins, with whom he played his first 48 major league baseball games in 2022.
“Little sores”
The 26-year-old athlete, originally from Laval, was also in the Dominican Republic earlier this fall to keep in shape. However, he cut short his stay with the Tigres del Licey for preventive reasons.
“I had minor sores from last season that came back,” explained Leblanc, who has a batting average of .263 in major league baseball. Nothing serious, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I am still undergoing treatments to fix these small injuries and be ready for the next camp. »
Photo Martin Alarie
The young Rafael Jacques was able to meet one of his models.
Proof that he is in good health, Leblanc will spend the next week in California to work with Doug Latta, a renowned batting consultant. He will return to Quebec for the holiday season before leaving in January.
From the shadow to the light
Otherwise, it was possible to see on Saturday how Leblanc is now the pride of Quebec baseball fans. There were dozens of them lining up at the Ultime Sports Collection store in Laval to get an autograph.
The Quebecer’s life took a turn less than a year ago, on December 8, 2021, when he moved from the Texas Rangers organization to that of the Marlins as part of a special draft reserved for players. minor leagues.
“There are so many stories of players who died in organizations because they didn’t have their opportunity, argued Leblanc, with some hindsight. It was a bit like that for me with the Rangers, who prioritized young hopefuls. The Marlins saw something in me and that gave me the opportunity to make my major league debut. It changed my life, for sure. »
In the notebook…
- In addition to Charles Leblanc, a few other Quebecers could get their place on the Canadian team at the next World Baseball Classic. Abraham Toro, Otto Lopez and Edouard Julien are in the race for a possible participation in the round robin, from March 11 to 15, in Arizona. It was also allowed to learn that the former pitcher Philippe Aumont returned to training in hopes of representing Canada.
- President of baseball operations for the Atlanta Braves, the Quebecer Alex Anthopoulos is the Executive of the Year, according to Baseball America.
- Andrew Dawson will be among the guests of the next Expos Fest gala, on April 22, 2023, in Laval. Vladimir Guerrero and Moises Alou will also be present.
- Change of number in sight for Charles LeBlanc ? When autographing objects on Saturday, the Marlins player preferred not to register his number 83. In the minor leagues, he notably wore 12, 14 and 18.
- The Quebecer Miguel Cienfuegos, who had an extraordinary season with the Capitales de Québec, was named “Canadian Pitcher of the Year” in independent baseball by the Canadian Baseball Network. Previously voted pitcher of the year in the Ligue Frontière, he was awarded the Claude-Pelletier trophy.
- Among the supporters present in Laval on Saturday morning, the young Rafael Jacques, 13, had a great testimonial to demonstrate Charles Leblanc’s impact: “He’s a good player and a good role model. It shows that a dream can come true for a Quebec baseball player. It is an inspiration for me, like Abraham Toro. »