NEW YORK – Pitt shortstop Charles Leblanc became the second Panther selected in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft as he was selected in round fourth with the 129th overall pick by the Texas Rangers.
(Photo of Charles Leblac courtesy of Pitt Athletics)
Leblanc hit .409 on the season to pace the Panther offense and capture the league’s batting title. His mark was good for 13th in the nation and was the highest in the ACC since 2009 when Dustin Ackley of North Carolina recorded an average of .417. Leblanc led the team in average (.405), runs scored (45), hits (79), RBIs (46), on base percentage (.494) and assists (147). His on base mark of .494 was good for 17th in the NCAA.
A native of Laval, Quebec, Leblanc was named a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, annually given to the top shortstop in the country, and garnered Midseason All-America recognition from Perfect Game. He was named the ACC Player of the Week on April 4 after going 11-of-17 in a mid-week battle against Kent State and a three-game road series with Clemson. He had a six-RBI performance in a 15-5 victory over Clemson en route to his first weekly honor.
Leblanc was named first-team ACC for his efforts, becoming the first Panther to land on the ACC’s first team. Four Panthers garnered league postseason honors, the first Pitt players to garner All-ACC recognition.
The Canadian has led the Panthers offense since joining the club in 2015. The true freshman led the squad in average (.291), hits (57), RBIs (30), doubles (12), and total bases (84). He finished in the top three in 10-of-11 offensive categories.
Leblanc becomes the second Panther chosen in the 2016 MLB Draft, as teammate T.J. Zeuch was chosen with the 21st overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays last night.
LEBLAC NAMED NCBWA DISTRICT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DALLAS – Just before being drafted, Leblac was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) District Player of the Year.
A native of Laval, Quebec, Leblanc was named a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, annually given to the top shortstop in the country, and garnered Midseason All-America recognition from Perfect Game. He was named the ACC Player of the Week on April 4 after going 11-of-17 in a mid-week battle against Kent State and a three-game road series with Clemson. He had a six-RBI performance in a 15-5 victory over Clemson en route to his first weekly honor.
Leblanc was named first-team ACC for his efforts, becoming the first Panther to land on the ACC’s first team. Four Panthers garnered league postseason honors, the first Pitt players to garner All-ACC recognition.
The sophomore is one of four ACC players to land on the list, joining Brendan McKay (Louisville), Seth Beer (Clemson) and Will Craig (Wake Forest).
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