Luis De Leon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #15 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme.
  
  Track Record: The Orioles were rewarded with an incredibly talented pitcher for following De Leon well into his teenage years, signing him for $30,000 as an 18-year-old out of the Dominican Republic. He quickly demonstrated his talent in the U.S. when he debuted in 2023, and he overpowered hitters at Low-A Delmarva in the first half of 2024—35% strikeouts and a 0.96 WHIP in 28 innings—before a promotion to High-A Aberdeen. He pitched well early but dealt with control issues as the season progressed.
  
  Scouting Report: While the results weren’t what anyone would have hoped down the stretch, De Leon’s stuff remained consistent and high-level throughout the year. He pitches off a heavy 94-97 mph fastball that hitters beat into the ground and a potentially above-average changeup that remains effective in the high 80s. Those pitches, plus a harder slider, make for a strong overall repertoire that generates high groundball rates—61% in 2024—and solid whiff rates. De Leon is athletic but is still finding a repeatable delivery and release point, which at this point translates to below-average control and inconsistent command.
  
  The Future: De Leon’s pitch mix from the left side is one that organizations try to keep in the rotation as long as possible, given that he could be a midrotation starter with more consistency, though his is a high relief floor. He might return to Aberdeen to finish off the level at the start of 2025.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40.