For most, Loic Guillemette was likely not much of a known commodity.
Then, shortly after his well-deserved commitment to Florida International University, the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series National Combine happened in Nashville, and things changed.
A lot.
A two-way player, it was the mound where the St-Boniface, Quebec native dazzled for the White Team at Shelby Park, turning a stunning performance that had the FSS scouting staff talking with a fastball-slider-changeup mix that, at the end of the day, earned him an invitation to the upcoming Main Event in Boston, set for September 29-October 1.
At six-foot-four and 197 pounds, Guillemette is a “long, lanky kid with a good pitchers frame,” and while the Canes Baseball standout may also see some time at the corner outfield spots for the White Team this coming weekend, the staff believes that the future lies on the mound for the talented lefty.
“I have loved the (FSS) experience so far,” Guillemette said. “The experience of the coaches and the organization of the events is excellent and I am looking forward to meeting them again and participating in the Main Event.”
LHP, Loic Guillemette (@loic97004401) throws 3 scoreless innings at the National Combine. 3-pitch mix with good command.@NB_Baseball @P15Sports #WeGotNow pic.twitter.com/sBuFTOpaNv
— New Balance 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 (@ftrstarsseries) July 5, 2023
Throwing from what scouts described as something of a three quarters arm slot with a “slinging motion,” Guillemette says he’s been working changing his arm slot since Nashville, and has been focusing more on using his lower half and gaining stability.
Tentatively set to be the first arm out of the bullpen in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader at Fenway, something of a Cinderella story will continue on the biggest stage imaginable.
“I’m going to make my little boy’s dream come true by having the chance to perform in a major-league stadium,” he said. “I can’t wait to see the facilities of one of the oldest major baseball stadiums and experience the experience of a professional player.”
It’s something, of course, he feels like he could get used to. “Frenchy,” as dubbed by his teammates in Nashville, is hopeful that a big outing in Boston could lead to some big opportunities moving forward.
“Knowing that this event brings us great visibility with the major leagues, I will give my maximum to show them what I am capable of with how I control the game as a pitcher; the precision of my throws but above all, attack the hitters so that they are behind (in) the count,” Guillemette said.
