Quick Facts
Biography
Wade Matthew LeBlanc (born August 7, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Seattle Mariners.
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 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. 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. 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, 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. 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. 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. 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.
New York Yankees
On June 3, 2014, LeBlanc was claimed on waivers from the Angels by the New York Yankees. He was designated for assignment on June 11. 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. He made one appearance for the team before being designated for assignment on August 26. 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. He appeared in eight games for the Lions in 2015, posting a 2-5 record with a 4.23 ERA.
Toronto Blue Jays
On December 17, 2015, LeBlanc signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to spring training. He was assigned to minor league camp on March 18. On June 1, LeBlanc was named May's International League Player of the Month. He made 6 starts in May for the Buffalo Bisons, and pitched to a 3–0 record, 0.70 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 38 1⁄3 innings.
Seattle Mariners
On June 22, 2016, LeBlanc was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. He was added to the Mariners' active roster on June 24. He was designated for assignment on August 25, and sent outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on September 4.
Pittsburgh Pirates
LeBlanc was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later on September 13, 2016. The Pirates avoided going to salary arbitration with LeBlanc on December 3, 2016, by signing him to a one-year, $800,000 contract for the 2017 season.