Slovenian Catcher/Utility Player and 2016 CBLE MVP
Name: Matic Lešnjak
Height: 172
Weight: 78
DOB:
July 12, 1997
Status
Date Available:
Flight
Passport
Bats: L
Throws: R
Positions: C
Positions (alt): Utl, 2B, 3B, RF, LF
College: N/A
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Personal
Matic describes himself as “comfortable playing anywhere on the field. My average pop time on throws to second base is 2.09 seconds, and I have good accuracy to any base. I work on my framing and blocking, as well, and take pride in that. I always take it upon myself to be a good leader and do whatever I can to promote the best possible team chemistry.”
At the plate, Matic is comfortable hitting in any spot in the lineup, though he’s mostly batted in the second and third spots. As his statistics show, he is a smart hitter who hits for both power and average.
Ketchum Marsh, a former teammate, and coach who now works for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball, says, “[Matic has] good instincts and quick reflexes behind the plate. He’s a smart ballplayer who pays attention to opposing hitters and has a good feel for calling a game. He’s a wall when it comes to blocking the plate, and he’s spent much time improving his framing/receiving skills. At the plate, he has a very disciplined line-drive approach to all fields and knows what he’s looking for. He possesses some sneaky power that plays gap to gap.”
With his background, Matic can also assist a club’s coaching staff.
Away from the field, he is a licensed personal trainer who also has a degree in Materials Engineering.
Career Highlights
-
In one season in the Collegiate Baseball League Europe, batted .419 with a 1.011 OPS
-
Played two seasons in Euro Interleague Baseball
-
Head coach of Zajcki Ljubljana senior team in 2018
-
Has played four years on the Slovenian national team
-
Played one season in the Northwoods League, a U.S. independent pro league
Overseas goals
-
Extend his playing career
-
Experience new cultures and meet new people
-
Use his knowledge and experience to help grow the game globally
-
Stay active during the offseason in a winter league
-
Gain coaching experience
Playing Experience
| YEARS | ORGANIZATION | LEAGUE/DIVISION | DETAILS |
|---|
| 2016 |
Vienna Emperors |
Collegiate Baseball League Europe |
Catcher, 3B |
| 2017 |
Rockford Rivets |
Northwoods League |
Catcher, Utility |
| 2017 |
Zajcki Ljubljana |
Euro Interleague Baseball |
Catcher, Utility |
| 2019 |
Olimpija Karlovac |
Euro Interleague Baseball |
Catcher, Utility |
| 2021 |
Alpina Trieste |
Series B |
Utility |
| 2021 |
Parma baseball club |
Series A |
Catcher |
| 2022 |
Hamburg Stealers |
Bundesliga - north |
Starting catcher
LF
DH |
| 2022-2023 |
UWA Magpies |
WA State League |
Catcher
|
| 2023 |
Metz Comets |
France D1 |
Catcher
Second base
Third base |
Coaching Experience
| YEARS | ORGANIZATION | LEAGUE/DIVISION | DETAILS |
|---|
| 2018 |
Zajcki Ljubljana |
Senior team |
|
| 2018-20 |
Freelance |
Youth |
Personal Instructor |
| 2021-2022 |
Hamburg Stealers |
Youth (ages between 6-17) |
Strength coach
Hitting coach
Catching coach |
| 2022-2023 |
UWA Magpies |
Youth (ages 14-16) |
Hitting coach |
| 2022 |
Slovenia |
European Championship qualifier |
|
| 2023 |
Metz Comets |
Youth (ages 15-20) |
|
Stats
Pro Batting
| Years |
Team |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
| 2022 |
Hamburg Stealers |
12 |
44 |
4 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
13 |
3 |
0 |
318 |
375 |
386 |
College/Amateur Batting
| Years |
Team |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
| 2016 |
Emperors |
15 |
31 |
11 |
13 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
.419 |
.561 |
.452 |
| 2017 |
Zajcki |
14 |
45 |
16 |
15 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
14 |
15 |
12 |
1 |
.333 |
.492 |
.422 |
| 2019 |
Olimpija |
10 |
34 |
13 |
13 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
8 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
.382 |
.478 |
.559 |
Testimonials
These Testimonials Have Been Verified
Vincent Colasuonno
Polish National Team Coach
Matic’s character, ethics and moral compass are beyond reproach. He is an outstanding young man, intelligent, kind, hard working and selfless, and he is from a beautiful and truly great family.
It was my personal pleasure to meet him and his family, speak baseball with him, coach him and observe his development. He would be an asset to most any European club team he was a member of.
Ketchum Marsh
Former Teammate/Coach, Currently working for Tampa Bay Rays
Above all, Matic brings an outstanding work ethic and make up to the field. I've known him since he was 16 and he has always been a student of the game with the urge, desire, and passion to get better everyday. He is always looking for ways to gain an edge whether it be in mechanics, philosophies, the mental game or game strategy. He is always positive and is someone that will be a great teammate and fun to be around regardless of his performance on a given day.
He's got good instincts and quick reflexes behind the plate. He's a smart ballplayer who pays attention to opposing teams' hitters and has a good feel for calling the game. He's a wall when it comes to blocking and has spent lots of time improving his framing/receiving skills. I haven't seen him throw in awhile but whatever he lacked in arm strength he made up for in accuracy and quickness.
At the plate Matic has a very disciplined line drive approach to all fields and knows what he's looking for. Matic possesses some sneaky power that plays gap to gap.
He played in the Northwoods league as a 20 year old and while his playing time was a bit limited, he still had the experience of catching high level pitching and faced plus velocity at the plate. He should have no issues adjusting to the highest level of play around Europe.
I think teams would be lucky to have Matic behind the plate and would immediately grow into a team leader.
Will Swindling
Overseas Veteran Player/Coach
Matic is a very skilled and passionate baseball player. Working hard behind the plate and swinging a consistent bat he will always give you his full effort. He has played in competitive leagues in Croatia and is one of Slovenia’s very talented baseball players. With Matic you always know you’ll be get getting 100 percent at practice and on game day. Mainly a catcher but athletic enough to play multiple positions.
Additional Info
Playing Preferences: Europe (Summer), Asia (Summer), Australia (Winter), New Zealand (Winter)
Living preferences: Living on my own, Living with teammates with my own private bedroom, Living with teammates in a shared bedroom, Living with a host family
Working preferences: Work related with material engineering, Working in a gym, Working as a coach
Return home: I can stay as long as it takes to complete a season
Prior engagements:
Recent injuries/illnesses:
Traveling with a companion: No
