Quebecer Charles Leblanc could be weak after the current World Series with the Texas Rangers. It would be very bad to know him.
Less than two years ago, Leblanc was still part of the Rangers organization, which drafted him in 2016. The 27-year-old has since landed with the Miami Marlins, with whom he played 48 games in 2022 before spending last season at the AAA level with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
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“I’m not done playing ball yet, we’ll see me in a big baseball uniform again,” Leblanc says optimistically.
If he’s interested in this World Series, it’s because he obviously knows several people involved, but also because he’ll be a free agent at the end of this baseball grand finale.
The player from Laval also realizes that these days he is in a situation that he does not know.
“For the first time in my life, I’m experiencing uncertainty about baseball,” he concludes. All my life, whether in high school or college, I knew a little bit about what was coming next season, and now it’s a little strange.
Mentally difficult
On July 30, 2022, Leblanc realized his biggest dream in Miami by playing his first major baseball game against the New York Mets. The next day, he hit a home run off pitcher Taijuan Walker.
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Despite ten doubles, four long balls and a .263 batting average, his future with the Marlins was not assured. The arrival of Jean Segura and then Luis Arraez in the 2023 training camp would lead to his demotion.
“When the Marlins were recruiting infielders before last season, it was mentally tough,” agrees Leblanc. You just made your dream come true and they showed you that you weren’t good enough to be part of a team that wasn’t necessarily recognized as a power.”
To top it off, Leblanc was left off the Marlins’ 40-man roster, making the draft significantly more complicated. Beyond the mental ordeal, the Quebecer also had to deal with certain physical injuries, particularly to his back and lower body.
“I carried my injuries around longer than I would have liked,” he admitted. At least I found a way to finish the season well with a few doubles and a few home runs.”
Leblanc actually managed five long balls in 22 games in his final month with the Jumbo Shrimp. He finished the campaign with 12 home runs and a .252 average. What was special about Leblanc was that he found a way to help the team, even if he didn’t always feel 100 percent comfortable batting because of his back. . In doing so, he recorded 61 runs during the season and posted an excellent .384 batting average on the trails.
“We had to find a way to get the job done,” he agreed.
See the positive
As Leblanc waits to learn more about his own future, he wishes those he knew at the Rangers not long ago all the best.
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He notably worked with Leody Taveras and, briefly, newcomer Josh Jung. He also thinks about First Cushion trainer Corey Ragsdale. One of his good friends in the Texas organization was reliever Brock Burke. The latter took part in one game of the series against the Baltimore Orioles, but did not take part in the World Series.
Leblanc also knew Pavin Smith with the Diamondbacks, during a winter league stay in the Dominican Republic with the Tigres del Licey.
“I hope the best for these guys,” Leblanc concluded about all these players he knows from the World Series. At some point you have to look at the positive. Personally, I feel lucky to still be able to play baseball and experience that spirit of camaraderie with the boys.
Over the next few weeks, Leblanc will focus on finding work, repairing injuries and staying ready for the rest of his career.