Justin Leone

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #15 prospect in 2005
  Leone followed up a breakthrough 2003 season by scalding the ball for three months in Triple-A, which earned him Seattle's third-base job. He continued to hit for power in the majors until Matt Kinney broke two fingers on his left hand with a pitch in mid-August. Leone won't regain his starting role now that the Mariners have signed Adrian Beltre, but he still could help the club with his versatility. His hands, arm and actions have allowed him to play all four infield positions and both outfield corners in the minors. He has Gold Glove potential at third base, though he made erratic throws and lost confidence in his first taste of the majors. Believing in himself is a key for Leone, who struggled with self-doubt for much of his first four seasons. He's one of the better power hitters in the system, though he's a streaky hitter who doesn't always make consistent contact. His selectivity regressed last year, perhaps because he was trying to make an impression by hitting homers. Willie Bloomquist is an organization favorite, but Leone could offer Seattle more as a utilityman.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #11 prospect in 2004
  Leone opened last year treading close to the "organization player" label. He showed athleticism and power, but he also had a career .250 average and had less faith in himself than the Mariners did. Slated to be a utilityman in Double-A, he caught a break when Greg Dobbs ruptured his left Achilles tendon in the second game of the year. Leone took over at third base and became the Texas League MVP. He led the league in runs, doubles, extra-base hits and on-base percentage while finishing second in slugging. Managers rated him the best defensive third baseman in the TL, and he capped his year by leading Team USA with three homers at the Olympic qualifying tournament in November. One of the keys was to Leone's breakthrough was letting Travis Blackley persuade him to play the previous winter in Australia, where he began to overcome his problems hitting breaking balls. Another was that he started to hit smarter, worked himself into better counts and drew more walks. He has power to all fields, good speed for his size and even better baserunning instincts. Defensively, Leone can handle second base and shortstop in addition to third. His hands, arm and actions fit at any of the positions, and he could be a Gold Glover at third base. He needs another good year to prove he's more than a 26-year-old who had his career year in Double-A. Seattle added him to the 40-man roster and will play him in Triple-A this year.