Luis De Leon

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #14 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: De Leon was a late-developing prospect in the Dominican Republic who signed for $30,000 at age 18 in December 2021 after Orioles scouts followed him past his age group’s signing year and noted his continued improvements. He made his U.S. debut in 2023 by dominating over six starts in the Florida Complex League before continuing his success at Low-A Delmarva. He struck out 11.2 batters per nine innings over the two levels.
  
  Scouting Report: There’s plenty of projection in De Leon’s athletic 6-foot-3 frame, but his present-day stuff is hardly lacking. He averaged 95 mph on his fastball, giving it plus potential from the left side. He primarily attacks with his fastball and a high-80s changeup that can be an above-average pitch despite a small velocity difference from his fastball. That’s because of its significant horizontal fade and his ability to command the pitch. De Leon made progress with a hard slider in 2023 that gives him both another movement profile for hitters to consider and another potentially above-average pitch. De Leon’s ability to induce weak contact is an early strength, and opponents had a 69% groundball rate against him in 2023. Like many young power lefthanders, De Leon issued too many walks and will need to reduce free baserunners as he advances.
  
  The Future: De Leon dominated light competition at the complex and during a late-season Low-A cameo, but he did so with the raw stuff and maturity that give indications he can be a midrotation starter at his peak. He’s likely to return to Delmarva to begin 2024, but could be pushed quickly should the Orioles like what they see.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45