Pedro León was a big signing when he was inked for four million dollars in the 2021 international free agency signing period. León came to Houston with high expectations, but inconsistencies have marked his tenure on the farms with the Texas squad. Armed with a cannon for an arm and, gazelle-like speed and immense power to all fields, León was the team’s centerfielder of the future.
In 315 games in the minors the outfielder has gone yard 47 times and stolen 77 bases, but he has also fanned an eye popping 397 times. At times he has shown flashes of his raw talent on the field, but the holes in his swing have overshadowed his other tools and might have him on the brink off being labeled a bust.
Dana Brown said this to our Javier González today,” We are going to give León a very long look, particularly in Spring Training and all throughout the year of course. He was a highly touted prospect, a prospect that was touted even before a got here. I like the talented, I like the tools, but the consistency going to have to get better and if he can consistently produce he is going to get opportunities.”
León saw action once again this winter in Puerto Rico’s Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente and in five games in the circuit hit a paltry .111 with one longball and three runs batted with the league champion Criollos de Caguas. The year before in Puerto Rico he hit a lowly .204 with Santurce.
In a put-up or shut-up year for Pedro León look for the Astros to evaluate every aspect of his game and make a final decision on his future come season’s end. The Cuban who will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft come this offseason will make or break his future with the ballclub depending on he performs in between the chalk lines.