In the aftermath of tonight’s trade that brought Yusei Kikuchi to Houston in exchange for a three-player trade package, the Astros will fill one of their roster spots with outfield prospect Pedro Leon. MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart (X link) reports that the Astros will select Leon’s contract to the 40-man roster, giving the 26-year-old his first taste of big league baseball.
Baseball America ranked Leon as the top prospect available when he officially signed his $4MM deal with the Astros in 2021, though at age 22, he was significantly older than most members of the 2020-21 international signing class. He had already played two seasons in Cuba’s National Series before defecting, and he didn’t play at all in 2019 or 2020 due to paperwork delays, the pandemic, and the fact that the Astros didn’t have the bonus pool space to sign him until the 2020-21 window opened.
Leon reached Triple-A Sugar Land before the end of the 2021 season, but he has remained at the top affiliate ever since, hitting .249/.357/.445 with 57 home runs in 1567 total Triple-A appearances. That slash line includes a marked step up in production this season, as Leon has hit .297/.377/.519 with 19 homers over 424 PA in 2024.
Plenty of caveats abound with these numbers. Leon is now 26 and playing against generally much younger competition, and batting totals tend to be inflated in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. In addition, his .374 BABIP suggests a lot of batted-ball fortune, and his 8.7% is the lowest of his three full Triple-A seasons. Leon has slightly reduced his strikeout rate from past years, but only to 26.2%.
MLB Pipeline ranks Leon 24th among all Astros prospects, with Baseball America putting him 29th in their evaluation of Houston’s farm system. The strikeouts are naturally a big concern in regards to how Leon might fare against Major League pitching, even if Leon does show good power than he does make contact. He has plus speed (86 steals in 121 attempts at Sugar Land) and a very strong throwing arm but is considered an average fielder at best, likely suited for corner outfield work.
Kyle Tucker’s continued stint on the injured list has left a big hole in Houston’s outfield, though it might be hard for Leon to find consistent playing time with Trey Cabbage, Chas McCormick, and utilityman Mauricio Dubon ahead of him on the depth chart. Leon is a right-handed hitter, adding to an Astros roster that already tilts toward the right side.
Good for him
I understand trading Loperfido to open up a spot for Pedro Leon, but I don’t understand a massive overpay for 2 months of a #5 starter. I wish I lived in a fantasy world where Lunhow came back as POBO and Click was his GM.
In what world does trading Loperfido to open up a spot for Leon make sense ? Loperfido has all the tools to become one of the best outfielders in all of MLB. Leon will never make it.
I wouldn’t have traded Loperfido for a rental, but trading him made sense in that Leon has potential. Obviously, the Yusei trade was horrible.
Was seeing things yesterday Leon would never see time with big boys. But figured someone would get call up. See if he is all that in our outfield. LF or RF. Chas and Cabbage May see more time. Still think Chas will wake up. I doubt it. Not crazy with this move. But Dana felt Joey was not going to amount. He looked horrible Sunday afternoon. Joey was a second baseman after all but did not fit in Houston plans. Nor did Wagner. See if plays tomorrow. We probably done. Yandy
probably did not make his sweepstakes. If anything more coming doubt it. Guess Leon is the bat they
Wanted.
Leon has 411 strikeouts in his three years in AAA. Sure doesn’t seem like much of a prospect!
We trade Loperfido and bring Leon up to the majors ? Has the world gone mad ? I thought we were trying to win.
Now watch Pedro Leon start hitting like gangbusters and make all of you eat your words.
Chas and Cabbage do not make any sense keeping. But a week or two ago saw something they were putting a strong emphasis on Cabbage. Chas is not hitting either. But am sure Brown and Espada still see something with him. But neither would get them anything. Astros are done with this bad trade. Whether Joey is worthless as they say. Wagner was also 26 but saying was not worthy of call up. I am not impressed with Brown as GM or Espada as manager but sure Crane will keep them in off season. Not sure what he saw in them. Yes we are where we are but sorry neither fit this team. Not going to be spectacular compared to Luhnow or Click. Or Dusty, Hinch and others that were good
Leon has a chance to be a star.
The Astros have not brought up an OF with 4 true tools since Kyle Tucker.
He is 26, but essentially lost 3 years due to defecting from Cuba, the pandemic and a freak injury early on.
Unfortunately, the hit tool is the one lacking, but I have read multiple reports from people I trust know their stuff that Leon’s K issues aren’t due to swinging and missing, but from waiting to often for his pitch. As he has become more aggressive the Ks have trended down as have the BB.
He has the ability to make quality contact on quality pitches. Because of this, some have said he may be better in MLB than in the minors.
I will miss Joey, but Leon is a much more talented prospect with a higher ceiling. MLB pitchers are able to find and exploit a huge hole in Joey’s swing.
Pedro has a 30/30 ceiling with an average CF/above average corner OF glove and top of the scale arm. He will likely not hit above .260 or have an OBP above .320 though.
Exciting day for Astros fans.