Christopher De Leon

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2010
DSL:  0-1-0, 2.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 19.2 IP, 5.5 BB/9, 4.6 K/9

De Leon made six starts in his debut season.  He didn’t allow many hits, but had poor walk and K rates.

2011
DSL:  4-4-1, 2.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 48.0 IP, 3.6 BB/9, 7.1 K/9

De Leon continued to allow very few hits and greatly improved both his walk and K rates.

2012
DSL:  1-1-2, 2.74 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 46.0 IP, 5.5 BB/9, 10.0 K/9

The Pirates moved De Leon primarily to the bullpen.  He posted an outstanding K rate, but the control problems returned.

2013
DSL:  2-3-4, 3.62 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 27.1 IP, 4.9 BB/9, 10.5 K/9

De Leon pitched entirely in relief.  He continued to walk and strike out a lot of batters.

2014
R:  0-1-1, 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 16.2 IP, 2.7 BB/9, 7.0 K/9
R+:  1-0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 8.0 IP, 7.9 BB/9, 6.8 K/9

The Pirates brought De Leon to camp rather than release him.  They sent him initially to the GCL, where he pitched well out of the bullpen.  In August, they moved him up to Bristol, where he struggled with his control.

2015
R+:  1-0-0, 3.31 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 35.1 IP, 5.9 BB/9, 12.0 K/9

De Leon spent the season in the Bristol bullpen.  He put up some very impressive numbers, with a high K rate and an opponents’ OPS of .581.  On the down side, he had trouble throwing strikes and was more experienced than many of the players at that level.

De Leon is eligible for the Rule 5 draft for the second time, although it’s very unlikely he’ll be added to the roster or selected.  For a sixth-year pro, he hasn’t gotten very far yet.  He could appear with either West Virginia team in 2016.