If a few position players from Quebec have been knocking on the door for several years, the situation is less obvious for pitchers.
A potential question in a quiz game aimed at identifying the last athlete who grew up in Quebec to have stepped on a major baseball mound would undoubtedly confuse many. It is, in fact, former catcher Russell Martin who, in 2019, had made four different appearances on the mound in the uniform of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Before him, the most recent was Jesen Therrien, in 2017, with the Philadelphia Phillies. But who will be next?
Photo credit: Photo Hunter Martin / Getty Images / AFP
The Kansas City Royals have in their organization a gunner born in Montreal, but who grew up in Ontario: Eric Cerantola. The latter also did very well on March 14, during a Cactus League match. In one inning of work, the reliever gave up no hits, only one walk and retired two Arizona Diamondbacks batters in the process. In 2023, Cerantola played at the strong A level, but he also played a few games in the AA with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Landry, De Grandpré, Cienfuegos and Pilon
Closer to home, Victoriaville native Nathan Landry continues his progression in the Boston Red Sox organization, just like Cédric De Grandpré, originally from Saint-Simon-de-Bagot, in the Atlanta Braves subsidiaries. At 27, former Quebec Capitals star Miguel Cienfuegos remains in the San Diego Padres organization for a second year.
Photo credit: Photo Marc DesRosiers / QMI Agency
Perhaps the best hope remains left-hander Jérémy Pilon who, after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in July 2023, is destined to begin his professional career at just 18 years old.
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2024-03-25 13:51:13
#Quebec #launcher
