Victor De Leon
| IP | 99.0 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.64 |
| WHIP | 1.465 |
| BB/9 | 4.5 |
| SO/9 | 6.4 |
- Full name Victor De Leon
- Born 04/19/1992 in Santiago, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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When the major league workouts were over one day last spring, the coaches drifted to the back fields to see some of the Cardinals' youngest pitching prospects. One stood out. Well built and gifted with raw velocity, DeLeon drew the coaches toward his bullpen session. He can hit 98 mph with his fastball, and he sits at 92-95 mph as a starter. His low-80s slider improved last season, and he continues to tinker with a changeup. He shows good instincts for pitching and because he's able to repeat his delivery, the command should come. He made significant progress in 2012, which he finished with a strong seven-inning, no-walk start in the Rookie-level Appalachian League playoffs. St. Louis will push him to full-season ball as a 21-year-old in 2013. The plan is to get him innings as a starter to see if he can develop consistent secondary pitches. If that doesn't work out, he could be a late-inning lightning bolt from the bullpen. -
DeLeon's statistics from his 2011 U.S. debut didn't sizzle, but the number that matters most for him did: 98. He was able to show that his fastball could operate consistently at 94-96 mph and peak at 98. His control and command waver when he reaches back for more velocity. His frame could add some strength, which would enhance his stamina as well as the consistency of his heater. DeLeon's secondary pitches are still works in progress. He's still developing feel for his slider and his changeup, and he throws the latter pitch too hard to get enough separation from his fastball. He's still learning to find the strike zone on a regular basis, too. DeLeon is extremely raw but has one of the best arms in the lower levels of the system. The short-term plan is to keep him as a starter so that he can get the innings and experience he needs more
Minor League Top Prospects
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DeLeon has arm strength comparable to the league's other top international pitchers, Cabrera and Osuna. He has the most pro experience of the trio--he signed as a 17-year-old in 2009--but also the highest walk rate of the group. DeLeon missed two weeks in July with shoulder soreness but showed no ill effects in a strong playoff start. DeLeon touches 98 mph and regularly works at 92-95 with his fastball. He also throws a low-80s slider with plus velocity and lateral tilt. He hasn't refined his command or his feel for a changeup, which could mean that his future is as a late-inning reliever rather than as a starter. -
DeLeon went winless and tied for the GCL lead with six losses, but his arm strength ranked among the best in the league. His fastball sits at 93-95 mph and he can run it up to 97. He doesn't miss as many bats as his velocity would suggest because his fastball flattens out when he leaves it up in the zone. His control and command need plenty of work, though DeLeon throws more strikes when he dials down his velocity. His slider has its moments, but both it and his changeup are below-average pitches. Some scouts see DeLeon as a power-armed middle reliever down the road.
