Mathias in Chicago

The young Frenchman Mathias Lacombe‘s season is taking a promising turn in the United States.

Recently promoted to Single-A within the Chicago White Sox franchise, the pitcher now plays for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. As a relief pitcher, Mathias boasts a 2.33 ERA and impresses with his power on the mound, racking up strikeouts to the delight of his coaches… and an increasingly growing crowd around the fields. 50 strikeouts for just 11 walks in 35 and two-thirds innings with the Arizona Complex League team. Enrolled in Kannapolis on July 18th, he struck out four batters in three scoreless innings in his debut.

On this occasion, Baseball TV France went to gather the impressions of the Frenchman from Chicago.

BTVF: First of all, how is your life outside of baseball in the United States?

Mathias Lacombe: To be honest, it’s been six months since I’ve been 100% focused on baseball. Outside of that, I sleep… and I play PlayStation, haha! But honestly, everything is going great.

BTVF: Your first half of the season marks a rise in power and confidence. How have you experienced these outings on the mound, and what do you think of your statistics?

M.L.: I’m really happy with my season so far. I try to improve a little something with each outing, compared to the previous one. After a year without playing due to my injury, just being on the mound is pure joy.

BTVF: Your pitch speed is gradually increasing. What exercises or strategies have you implemented to gain velocity?

M.L.: I haven’t changed much mechanically, but after my injury, I’ve worked a lot on strengthening my shoulder and back, in addition to general muscle building. I feel stronger. The fact of throwing every day naturally strengthens the muscles, so the speed increases little by little. And the adrenaline of the game does the rest!

BTVF: You are now at a higher level, among the top rookies. Between pressure, pleasure, and recognition, what are you feeling right now?

M.L.: I’m very happy to have reached this milestone. But not really stressed. My goal is a great career in the MLB, so the Low-A level is just a stepping stone. I can’t let myself be overwhelmed by emotions now.

BTVF: How are your relationships with the coaches? What kind of support do you need?

M.L.: The coaches are rather distant. They manage the lineups, coach during the games, and that’s about it. Outside of that, we are quite autonomous. Nothing is mandatory: neither muscle building, nor reinforcement, nor warm-up. Each person is responsible for their preparation. However, I did receive help from a mental coach who gave me keys to be more aggressive on the mound and want to dominate the batters

BTVF: You will now face, or play with, players who have already played in the MLB. How do you find the balance between teammate and fan?

M.L.: Yes, I have already shared the field with former MLB players. It’s very enriching. I don’t hesitate to ask them questions, but I always position myself as a teammate, never as a fan. If they are there at that moment, it’s for a good reason. My goal is to become an MLB player myself, so I don’t let myself be impressed.

BTVF: What do you expect from the rest of the 2025 season, and what are your hopes for next year?

M.L.: I remain focused on what I can control: play, progress, perform. The ideal would be to finish the season very strong. Of course, moving up another level is a goal. But next year, we’ll see later, haha! I first focus on this one. If I make it to the Major League, I will make so many people proud in my country and above all I will show many children that their dream is possible