Former McNeese State ace Fontenot selected by Texas in MLB draft

Former McNeese State University pitcher and Ville Platte native Kaleb Fontenot has had his dream come true this past week, as he was selected in the 21st round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers.
Fontenot, a 2011 graduate of Sacred Heart High School, was elated on being selected in the draft.
“I was really pumped when I heard my name called,” stated Fontenot. “But it’s a funny story. I had received a call from the St. Louis Cardinals during the break between rounds and I thought that they were going to be the one’s to draft me. And then as we were listening, I heard my name when the Rangers pick came up.”
Fontenot had a tremendous season this past year on the mound for the Cowboys. The senior right-hander ranked second in the league with a .202 ERA.
Fontenot compiled a 6-5 record on the season in 15 appearances, threw a team-high 107 innings (second in the Southland) and led the conference with 108 strikeouts, finishing just eight fans shy of tying a 26-year-old school single-season record.
Fontenot set a new school record during the season with 28 consecutive shutout innings pitched and threw two complete games on the year with two shutouts. He was also a part of a combined shutout on the year.
Fontenot was selected as a second team all-conference pick in the Southland Conference and was named to the league’s all-tournament team.
Fontenot finished his career with 19 wins and a 2.55 ERA. He also fanned 252 batters in his career, ranking him third on the McNeese all-time career list while his victory total ranks eighth all-time.
Fontenot will be playing short season Class A ball this summer for the Spokane (Washington) Indians. The Indians will play 72 games over a span of 78 days. The assignment to Spokane is the first step in what hopes to be a promising career on the professional level.
“It will be a learning curve for me at Spokane,” stated Fontenot. “The coaching staff up there have never seen me pitch before. The only thing they have to go on is what the scout has told them. They will be trying to figure out the player I am and I will be trying to make sure I give everything I have.”
One thing that may relieve any anxiety Fontenot may have will be the presence of a Louisiana native as his manager with the Indians.
“The manager for Spokane is the head coach for Evangel High School,” said Fontenot. “He comes up here for the summer and coaches the club. It will be nice to have someone from Louisiana around.”
Fontenot has not been without advice on his new journey. He has kept in contact with former major league catcher and Ville Platte native Danny Ardoin. Ardoin lives in Moss Bluff.
“Danny has really been helpful to me over the past four years,” commented Fontenot. “We talk several times a week and he has given me some good insight as to what to expect.”
Fontenot is ready for the challenge that awaits him and is optimistic about his future.
“I am going out there to do whatever it takes to show them what I can do,” said Fontenot. “I do not know what the future holds, but I will make sure that I give it my best effort.”