Texas Rangers draft Pitt shortstop Charles LeBlanc in 4th round

Shortstop Charles LeBlanc is now the second Pitt Panther selected in the 2016 MLB Draft.

The Texas Rangers drafted the Quebec native in the fourth round with the No. 129 overall pick in the draft on Friday afternoon. LeBlanc joins former pitcher T.J. Zeuch, selected in the first round by the Toronto Blue Jays, as Pitt’s second player picked in the first four rounds.

LeBlanc was one of just 16 players from Canada taken in the 2013 MLB Draft when the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the 33rd round, but he chose to come to Pitt instead.

In two seasons at Pitt, LeBlanc led the Panthers in batting average and runs batted in both times.

The 6-foot-4 shortstop hit .291 with three home runs and 30 RBIs in his first year, then hit two home runs with 46 RBIs as a sophomore in 2016 while leading the ACC and finishing No. 13 in the country with a .405 batting average. His .494 on-base percentage was No. 17 in the nation.

LeBlanc’s 2016 performance made him the first Pitt player ever named to the All-ACC First Team. He was also named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association District Player of the Year on Friday, one of four ACC players recognized.