Pedro Leon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #19 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium.
  
  Track Record: Leon signed for $4 million out of Cuba in 2020 and was expected to be a fast-moving prospect thanks to a lengthy professional track record. He reached Triple-A in his professional debut but spent all of 2022 and 2023 with Triple-A Sugar Land. In 2024 Leon had his best minor league season to date, hitting .299/.372/.514 with 24 home runs and 29 stolen bases over 118 games. Leon was promoted to major leagues on July 30 and made his MLB debut on August 3.
  
  Scouting Report: Leon is fully baked at this point as he turns 27 in 2025. He has a three-true outcome profile and below-average bat-to-ball skills. He struggles against spin and offspeed, running high whiffs and chase rates against non-fastballs. Leon has plus-plus bat speed that translates to plus power. He shows a knack for finding the barrel and backspinning the ball to his pullside and his 117.5-mph max exit velocity in 2024 is an example of his high-end power. Leon is a plus runner and aggressive basestealer who’s had 20+ stolen bases in each of the last three seasons, though that speed doesn’t translate to strong outfield defense. The Astros tried Leon in the infield in 2021, 2022 and 2023 but moved him to the outfield full-time in 2024. He has a plus arm and running ability, which is likely enough to be fringe-average in an outfield corner.
  
  The Future: Leon is a ready-made bench outfielder who should see more MLB time in 2025.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 30 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #6 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Signed out of Cuba for $4 million in 2020, Leon was a decorated professional in Serie Nacional. His U.S. debut was delayed in 2021 by visa issues, so he got a late start to spring training. Still, Leon headed straight to Double-A Corpus Christi and hit .249/.349/.443 in his first 52 games. He was promoted to Triple-A in late July but played in just 20 games after missing all of August with an injury. In 2022, the Astros assigned Leon to Triple-A Sugar Land, where he hit .228/.365/.431 with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 38 stolen bases in 115 games. Despite being billed as a fast-mover when he signed at age 22, Leon has not made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: An explosive and tooled-up outfielder with elite on-base skills, Leon is both an exciting and frustrating player. While he has produced high walk rates as a professional, his bat-to-ball skills are well below-average, leading to low batting averages and a fair amount of swing-and-miss, but Leon's plate discipline is strong enough to offset his poor contact skills. His raw power is heavily bat speed-driven and he looks to put the ball in the air consistently to his pull side. Leon is likely capable of home run totals in the mid 20s in his peak seasons because of his ability to ambush middle-in fastballs. He is a basestealing threat who has 56 stolen bases across two pro seasons, though he can often get overly aggressive on the bases. His double-plus speed makes up for a lack of good reads. Defensively, Leon has primarily played center field, which is his best position. His speed and plus throwing arm are assets, despite the fact he often runs inefficient routes. Leon has seen time at shortstop and second base over the last two seasons but lacks the instincts and actions for the infield.
  
  The Future: Leon might fit best on a good team as more of a part-time or platoon outfielder.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #4 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Astros invested $4 million in Leon as the crown jewel of their 2020 international signing class, stating their belief the Cuban center fielder could be a rapid mover to the majors. He had a 1.098 OPS in two seasons in Serie Nacional, including an all-star appearance as a 20-year-old. The pandemic prevented Leon from playing in 2020 and a visa issue delayed his arrival to spring training in 2021, but he still jumped straight to Double-A to begin his professional career. The Astros informed Leon he would see loads of time at shortstop upon signing him and, despite not playing the position since childhood, Leon made 48 of his first 71 minor league starts at shortstop.
  
  Scouting Report: Leon has enough athleticism and defensive aptitude to handle both center field and shortstop. He flashes plus-plus speed and has plus arm strength, as evidenced by a throw clocked at 98 mph from center field in spring training. However, many of the plus tools promised before Leon’s arrival never materialized during his first minor league season. He has a long swing and struggled first with velocity at Double-A and then with breaking pitches in the Arizona Fall League. Though strong in his frame, his small stature and contact concerns preclude him from having more than fringe-average power. Leon’s learning curve is steep, but his makeup and initial adaptation are encouraging. After striking out 33 times in his first 85 plate appearances, he posted a .766 OPS the rest of the season while earning a promotion to Triple-A.
  
  The Future: Leon’s best path to the big leagues is in center field, but he must continue to adjust offensively to be an everyday player. He is widely viewed as a future utilityman.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #10 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The biggest bonus for any player in the 2020-21 international class went to Pedro Leon, a 22-year-old Cuban outfielder the Astros signed for $4 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Leon packs loud tools into a short, muscular frame. He has a short, slight uppercut swing with the strength and bat speed to drive the ball with plus raw power, hitting balls out from the middle of the field over to his pull side. Leon performed well in his limited playing time in Cuba's top league, Serie Nacional. When he came to the Dominican Republic, he hit well against live pitching, though in a very abbreviated sample size that not many teams saw, so he still needs to be tested against better and more age-appropriate competition. Leon is a plus runner who could stay in center field if he's able to maintain his speed, with a plus-plus arm that might be his best tool. The Astros have also experimented with him getting reps as a middle infielder as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Leon has a promising tool set, though he still needs to be evaluated against more advanced opponents given his age. He will get that opportunity during his minor league debut in 2021.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Signed out of Cuba for $4 million in 2020, Leon was a decorated professional in Serie Nacional. His U.S. debut was delayed in 2021 by visa issues, so he got a late start to spring training. Still, Leon headed straight to Double-A Corpus Christi and hit .249/.349/.443 in his first 52 games. He was promoted to Triple-A in late July but played in just 20 games after missing all of August with an injury. In 2022, the Astros assigned Leon to Triple-A Sugar Land, where he hit .228/.365/.431 with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 38 stolen bases in 115 games. Despite being billed as a fast-mover when he signed at age 22, Leon has not made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: An explosive and tooled-up outfielder with elite on-base skills, Leon is both an exciting and frustrating player. While he has produced high walk rates as a professional, his bat-to-ball skills are well below-average, leading to low batting averages and a fair amount of swing-and-miss, but Leon's plate discipline is strong enough to offset his poor contact skills. His raw power is heavily bat speed-driven and he looks to put the ball in the air consistently to his pull side. Leon is likely capable of home run totals in the mid 20s in his peak seasons because of his ability to ambush middle-in fastballs. He is a basestealing threat who has 56 stolen bases across two pro seasons, though he can often get overly aggressive on the bases. His double-plus speed makes up for a lack of good reads. Defensively, Leon has primarily played center field, which is his best position. His speed and plus throwing arm are assets, despite the fact he often runs inefficient routes. Leon has seen time at shortstop and second base over the last two seasons but lacks the instincts and actions for the infield.
  
  The Future: Leon might fit best on a good team as more of a part-time or platoon outfielder.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Signed out of Cuba for $4 million in 2020, Leon was a decorated professional in Serie Nacional. His U.S. debut was delayed in 2021 by visa issues, so he got a late start to spring training. Still, Leon headed straight to Double-A Corpus Christi and hit .249/.349/.443 in his first 52 games. He was promoted to Triple-A in late July but played in just 20 games after missing all of August with an injury. In 2022, the Astros assigned Leon to Triple-A Sugar Land, where he hit .228/.365/.431 with 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 38 stolen bases in 115 games. Despite being billed as a fast-mover when he signed at age 22, Leon has not made his big league debut.
  
  Scouting Report: An explosive and tooled-up outfielder with elite on-base skills, Leon is both an exciting and frustrating player. While he has produced high walk rates as a professional, his bat-to-ball skills are well below-average, leading to low batting averages and a fair amount of swing-and-miss, but Leon's plate discipline is strong enough to offset his poor contact skills. His raw power is heavily bat speed-driven and he looks to put the ball in the air consistently to his pull side. Leon is likely capable of home run totals in the mid 20s in his peak seasons because of his ability to ambush middle-in fastballs. He is a basestealing threat who has 56 stolen bases across two pro seasons, though he can often get overly aggressive on the bases. His double-plus speed makes up for a lack of good reads. Defensively, Leon has primarily played center field, which is his best position. His speed and plus throwing arm are assets, despite the fact he often runs inefficient routes. Leon has seen time at shortstop and second base over the last two seasons but lacks the instincts and actions for the infield.
  
  The Future: Leon might fit best on a good team as more of a part-time or platoon outfielder.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Fielding: 45. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The Astros invested $4 million in Leon as the crown jewel of their 2020 international signing class, stating their belief the Cuban center fielder could be a “rapid mover” to the majors. He had a 1.098 OPS in two seasons in Serie Nacional, including an all-star appearance as a 20-year-old. The pandemic prevented Leon from playing in 2020 and a visa issue delayed his arrival to spring training in 2021, but he still jumped straight to Double-A to begin his professional career. The Astros informed Leon he would see loads of time at shortstop upon signing him and, despite not playing the position since childhood, Leon made 48 of his first 71 minor league starts at shortstop.
  
  Scouting Report: Leon has enough athleticism and defensive aptitude to handle both center field and shortstop. He flashes plus-plus speed and has plus arm strength, as evidenced by a throw clocked at 98 mph from center field in spring training. However, many of the plus tools promised before Leon&#39s arrival never materialized during his first minor league season. He has a long swing and struggled first with velocity at Double-A and then with breaking pitches in the Arizona Fall League. Though strong in his frame, his small stature and contact concerns preclude him from having more than fringe-average power. Leon&#39s learning curve is steep, but his makeup and initial adaptation are encouraging. After striking out 33 times in his first 85 plate appearances, he posted a .766 OPS the rest of the season while earning a promotion to Triple-A.
  
  The Future: Leon&#39s best path to the big leagues is in center field, but he must continue to adjust offensively to be an everyday player. He is widely viewed as a future utilityman.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 45. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Astros invested $4 million in Leon as the crown jewel of their 2020 international signing class, stating their belief the Cuban center fielder could be a rapid mover to the majors. He had a 1.098 OPS in two seasons in Serie Nacional, including an all-star appearance as a 20-year-old. The pandemic prevented Leon from playing in 2020 and a visa issue delayed his arrival to spring training in 2021, but he still jumped straight to Double-A to begin his professional career. The Astros informed Leon he would see loads of time at shortstop upon signing him and, despite not playing the position since childhood, Leon made 48 of his first 71 minor league starts at shortstop.
  
  Scouting Report: Leon has enough athleticism and defensive aptitude to handle both center field and shortstop. He flashes plus-plus speed and has plus arm strength, as evidenced by a throw clocked at 98 mph from center field in spring training. However, many of the plus tools promised before Leon’s arrival never materialized during his first minor league season. He has a long swing and struggled first with velocity at Double-A and then with breaking pitches in the Arizona Fall League. Though strong in his frame, his small stature and contact concerns preclude him from having more than fringe-average power. Leon’s learning curve is steep, but his makeup and initial adaptation are encouraging. After striking out 33 times in his first 85 plate appearances, he posted a .766 OPS the rest of the season while earning a promotion to Triple-A.
  
  The Future: Leon’s best path to the big leagues is in center field, but he must continue to adjust offensively to be an everyday player. He is widely viewed as a future utilityman.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  A finger injury has cut Leon's debut season in the U.S. short, but before he went down to injury Leon was showing plenty of signs of being a dynamic up-the-middle player. Making his U.S. debut after a long layoff since coming to the States from Cuba, he struggled in May, but from June on, he looked much more comfortable at the plate while also learning shortstop in on-the-job training. Leon looks more comfortable in center field, but there are signs he may be able to play in the dirt. His footwork and actions at shortstop are understandably works in progress, but he did show improvement.
• January, 2021 Scouting Report
  Leon became a free agent in the last international signing period, but he will wait until the new 2020-21 bonus pools start on Jan. 15 to sign. Soon after general manager James Click took over, the Astros had most of their 2020-21 international bonus pool still uncommitted in February 2020, when they reached a deal to sign Leon for around $4 million. Leon didn't play much in Serie Nacional in Cuba and wasn't scouted heavily by clubs when he left the country and began training in the Dominican Republic, so there's a lot of uncertainty with him at the moment. He has a smaller, muscled-up build and has shown the raw power to drive the ball out of the park from the middle of the field over to his pull side.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The biggest bonus for any player in the 2020-21 international class went to Pedro Leon, a 22-year-old Cuban outfielder the Astros signed for $4 million.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Leon packs loud tools into a short, muscular frame. He has a short, slight uppercut swing with the strength and bat speed to drive the ball with plus raw power, hitting balls out from the middle of the field over to his pull side. Leon performed well in his limited playing time in Cuba's top league, Serie Nacional. When he came to the Dominican Republic, he hit well against live pitching, though in a very abbreviated sample size that not many teams saw, so he still needs to be tested against better and more age-appropriate competition. Leon is a plus runner who could stay in center field if he's able to maintain his speed, with a plus-plus arm that might be his best tool. The Astros have also experimented with him getting reps as a middle infielder as well.
  
  THE FUTURE: Leon has a promising tool set, though he still needs to be evaluated against more advanced opponents given his age. He will get that opportunity during his minor league debut in 2021.