TORONTO - While recruitment has been a bit strenuous, Cole LeClair is having fun with the process.

“I’ve enjoyed it so far but it’s been difficult,” the second-rated 2023 shortstop in Ontario admitted. “It’s been a little unexpected and difficult being from Canada with the amount we can travel and the amount we can practice. But I’m happy where I’m at. It’s been very fun connecting with all these coaches from different states.”

Georgia State, Middle Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri State and William & Mary are schools that the Upper Canada College junior has been talking to recently.

“Most saw me at the Future Games in Lake Point,” LeClair noted. “A couple more have talked to me in the past that were also from the Future Games.

“They like my swing that I have from the left side,” added LeClair. “There’s also the defense and speed that I have.”

A fall trip to the states and playing with Team Canada have taken place for LeClair since the Future Games, one of a number of PBR events that the 17-year-old has attended.

“In the past I’ve gone to PBR with my summer team the Mississauga Tigers,” LeClair said. “That helped put our program on the map. We’ve gotten some big coaches and scouts watching us.”

Trying to make strides in the game to impress the coaches and scouts has not been easy.

“It’s a lot different with Covid,” LeClair explained. “A lot of what I do is at home by myself or with my dad. There’s a lot of hitting into the net in our garage. There’s speed drills at the high school and defensive work with my coaches.”

Cam Black-Araujo, lead scout/journalist for PBR Canada, has a high appraisal of the ninth-ranked 2023 in Ontario.

“LeClair is a projectable left-handed bat with loud tools across the board,” Black-Araujo said. “He consistently squares up balls to all fields and is beginning to tap into his power. He has the actions and athleticism to stick at shortstop, with good arm strength. His speed and quickness transitions to all areas of his game. LeClair is one of the most intriguing unsigned players on the board.”

The idea of playing baseball at the next level began just a few years ago.

“I was playing with the Ontario Blue Jays and saw guys going off to big schools and getting drafted,” LeClair reflected. “That inspired me. I thought I had the potential to do it. Then a year or two ago is when interest began and I started to have phone calls with D-I schools.”

The aspiration to play in college is now getting closer to becoming a reality.

“My dream would be playing in the Big 10 since it’s close to home,” the third-rated uncommitted 203 in Ontario related. “There are a lot of high-level baseball programs in the Big 10 that are very good academic schools. It would be a very good fit for me athletically and academically.”

LeClair pointed to Sean Travers as a person who has been influential in helping him become the player he is today.

“He’s the head of my team now and was the head of the Ontario Blue Jays,” LeClair explained. “He’s been big in my development the last four or five years. He’s the best middle infield coach there is and is also my hitting coach.” 

A major in a business field or sports medicine are possibilities for LeClair, who carries an 86 percent average in high school and scored a 1260 on the SAT. 

“In February I’m going to be working on getting as strong as possible and building my swing in the cage,” LeClair concluded. “In March my team is going to Florida over the break. In April I’m  heading to Florida again with Team Canada. Hopefully, sometime in the summer or fall is when I’ll commit.”