WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2008
DSL:  0-0-0, 4.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 9 IP, 8.0 BB/9, 13.0 K/9 

Saw limited action in his first DSL season.

2009
DSL:  2-4-0, 4.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 48.2 IP, 6.1 BB/9, 9.6 K/9

Started regularly in his second DSL season.  He fanned a lot of batters and opponents hit only .199 against him, but he struggled with his control.

2010
R:  1-0-0, 3.86 ERA, 2.29 WHIP, 7 IP, 6.4 BB/9, 12.9 K/9 

De Leon made the GCL roster, but didn’t pitch until a July 10 start in which he lasted only a third of an inning.  He returned in late August to make four appearances.

2011
A-:  2-2-5, 3.28 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 24.2 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 6.2 K/9 

De Leon moved up to State College and served part of the time as closer.  He made significant progress with his control, but his K rate dropped.

De Leon will still be just 21 when the 2012 season opens and seems to be making progress, although it’d be nice to see his K rate go back up.  It might help if he could get in more innings; he was eligible for the Rule 5 draft in 2011 despite the fact that he’s thrown fewer than 90 as a pro.  He was throwing 94-96 in training camp and the Pirates assigned him to West Virginia, where he’ll probably serve at least some of the time as closer.