• Full name Joseph James Leonard
  • Born 08/26/1988 in Dawson, PA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Pittsburgh
  • Drafted in the 3rd round (101st overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2010 (signed for $324,900).
    View Draft Report
    Leonard's father, John, was a first-round pick of the Orioles in 1982, and Joe stepped into Pitt's starting lineup as a freshman. After two solid seasons, Leonard exploded as a junior this spring, hitting .452/.507/.719 with eight homers and 60 RBIs though 199 at-bats. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Leonard has below-average game power currently, but he has shown good pop with wood bats in batting practice and projects for average power if he can add loft to his flat swing. His swing is long, making him vulnerable against good fastballs on the inner half, but he has good bat speed and feel for hitting, so he barrels up balls consistently. He projects as an average hitter. Leonard also reaches 92-93 mph off the mound as Pitt's closer, and his arm is above-average at third base. He is not a finished product defensively but has good feet and solid instincts, and he projects as a solid-average defender. He is a below-average runner but not a clogger. Leonard projects as a second- to third-round pick.

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  • Rated Best Defensive 3B in the Southern League in 2012

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