Chris Leroux

Chris Leroux
Chris Leroux at Florida Marlins training camp 2010
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1984-04-14) April 14, 1984 Montreal, Quebec
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 26, 2009, for the Florida Marlins
MLB statistics (through 2014 season)
Win–loss record	1–3
Earned run average	6.03
Strikeouts	66
Teams
Florida Marlins (2009–2010) Pittsburgh Pirates (2010–2013) Tokyo Yakult Swallows (2013) New York Yankees (2014)

Medal record
Men's baseball
Representing  Canada
Pan American Games
	2015 Toronto	National team

Christopher Adam Leroux (pronounced "le-ROO") (born April 14, 1984) is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Florida Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB) and for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Career

Minor leagues

Leroux was drafted in the 9th round by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2002 MLB draft out of St. Joseph Secondary School, but did not sign. He was drafted three years later in the 7th round by the Florida Marlins in the 2005 MLB draft, and he signed. He also played for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League in 2004.

In 2006, Leroux was assigned to Single-A Greensboro, where he pitched 3 starts before being injured. After a rehab assignment with the GCL Marlins, he was assigned to Short-Season Jamestown. In 11 total starts, he went 0-4 with a 6.06 ERA, striking out 22 in 32.2 innings. Leroux played 2007 with Greensboro, where in 46 appearances, he went 2-3 with a 4.14 ERA, striking out 76 in 71.2 innings.

Leroux played 2008 with A-Advanced Jupiter, where in 57 games, he went 6-7 with a 3.65 ERA and 1 save, striking out 78 in 74 innings. Leroux began 2009 with Double-A Jacksonville, where he played until he was recalled by the Marlins. He had a few stints with Florida, but spent most of his time in Jacksonville, where in 46 games, he went 5-3 with a 2.70 ERA and 2 saves, striking out 55 in 60 innings.

Florida Marlins

On May 23, 2009, Leroux was recalled by the Florida Marlins. He made his major league debut 3 days later against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was optioned the next day when Brett Carroll was recalled.^[1] He rejoined the Marlins when Matt Lindstrom went on the disabled list. In his third appearance, he recorded his first major league strikeout, which was of Cristian Guzmán. In 5 games with the Marlins, he had a 10.80 ERA with 2 strikeouts in 6.2 innings

Leroux opened 2010 with Triple-A New Orleans, but was recalled on April 14.^[2] Leroux was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 19 with a right elbow strain. He missed 26 games, and was subsequently assigned to New Orleans. He was recalled on September 3 when the rosters expanded.^[3]

Leroux during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011

Pittsburgh Pirates

Leroux was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 13, 2010.^[4] In 23 games with both teams, he went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 22.2 innings.

Leroux began 2011 with Triple-A Indianapolis, but after a poor start, he was demoted to Double-A Altoona.^[5] After a 5-game stint with Altoona, he returned to Indianapolis. On July 3, Leroux was recalled to Pittsburgh, replacing Brad Lincoln.^[6] He was optioned to Indianapolis on July 22, but was recalled 5 days later, only to be placed on the disabled list with a left calf strain 2 days after that.^[7] He was activated from the disabled list on August 22, and remained on the roster for the rest of the season. In 23 games with the Pirates, he went 1–1 with a 2.88 ERA.

Prior to the 2012 season, Leroux was placed on the 60-day DL with a right pectoral strain.^[8] He rejoined the club as a September call-up after rehab and an assignment to the AAA Indianapolis Indians.^[9] In 10 games with the Pirates, he had a 5.56 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 11.2 innings.

Leroux made the 2013 Opening Day roster with the Pirates, but was designated for assignment on April 12 after pitching in 2 games.^[10] He elected free agency on April 17, 2013.

Tokyo Yakult Swallows

Leroux playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Nippon Professional Baseball in 2013

On April 23, 2013, Leroux signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball.^[11]

New York Yankees

On January 27, 2014, Leroux signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. The deal included an invitation to Major League Spring training.^[12] Leroux made his Yankee debut on April 29, 2014.^[13] He was designated for assignment on May 3, 2014. He was called back up by the Yankees on July 23, 2014, but was designated for assignment two days later. He was called back up a third time on August 11, 2014 and again designated for assignment two days later. After the 2014 Season, he became a free agent. After pitching 2 innings, he earned a 22.50 ERA, a loss, and didn't earn a win

Milwaukee Brewers

Leroux signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on January 26, 2015

Philadelphia Phillies

On May 18, 2015, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.

Toronto Blue Jays

On April 3, 2016, Leroux was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations, and assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.^[14] He was released on August 28.^[15]

Pitching style

Leroux throws three pitches: a four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball in the low-to-mid 90s, and a slider in the low-to-mid 80s.^[16] He also used to throw a changeup to left-handed hitters, but he dropped it after the 2011 season to simplify his pitching approach.^[17]

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)