Randy LeBlanc tosses complete game shutout for CR

[Steven Buhr]

Randy LeBlanc and the Kernels took just over 2 and a half hours to shutout Kane County 9-0 Wednesday afternoon.

 

LeBlanc used jut 94 pitches (60 strikes) to finish off the complete game shutout performance, lowering his ERA to 0.90 through six starts.

 

Last June, LeBlanc was being used exclusively in long relief by the Kernels, despite having been a starting pitcher at Tulane. In this interview he gave me at the time, he said all the right things about being happy in whatever role the Twins wanted him to play, but he clearly was interested in getting a shot in the rotation. (He also talked about having to have a "meeting" with Twiins brass to discuss having been "messing with" the local gators in Florida.)

 

He did move into the Kernels' rotation later last season and, with the logjam of starters in the organization, he's back in CR's rotation again this season.

 

He seems to be able to handle that role pretty well. To say he's proven all he can prove at low-A is an understatement. He needs to move up.

 

And just as a bonus for having read this far, here's a link to a short video of the final out of his shutout Wednesday.

 

https://youtu.be/BiLB6QL8SdI

 

 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Kind of old for -A, no?

[Guest]

 

Kind of old for -A, no?

Yeah, he had TJ surgery in college, making him a 4-year junior when the Twins used a 16th round pick to select him. But his age is certainly another reason why he needs to get pushed up.

 

He was ready to face FSL hitters out of spring training. Just one of several guys who didn't start the season where they could have because of the number of minor league free agents the Twins brought to spring training to look at.

[Dman]

 

Kind of old for -A, no?

 

 

Yeah I agree he is too old to be there, but dominating is still encouraging.  Should give the Twins no more reasons not to move up Gonsalves and Stewart since he is ready for high A and they are ready for AA.

[Mike Sixel]

Congrats! That's an amazing achievement.

 

Hope he's promoted soon.

[Guest]

 

Yeah, he had TJ surgery in college, making him a 4-year junior when the Twins used a 16th round pick to select him. But his age is certainly another reason why he needs to get pushed up.

 

Correction. I got fat fingers and incorrectly reflected Randy's draft status. The Twins selected LeBlanc the 10th round.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

Yeah I agree he is too old to be there, but dominating is still encouraging.  Should give the Twins no more reasons not to move up Gonsalves and Stewart since he is ready for high A and they are ready for AA.

Yeah, was just curious as to why he was still being held back at such a low level. TJ makes sense though.