Sources: Cuban SS prospect Luis Leon agrees with the Miami Marlins
León, 18, has been evaluated as a premium talent.
Cuban SS prospect Luis Manuel León and the Miami Marlins reached an agreement, according to multiple sources.
The deal is expected to become official in the coming weeks.
León, who has been evaluated as a premium talent, will receive a $1.5 million signing bonus, making it the highest international signing by the Marlins in the 2023 period, surpassing the $1.4 million given to Venezuelan outfielder Luis Cova.
Luis, 18, is the younger brother of Pedro León, who made his debut with the Houston Astros in the 2024 season.
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His primary showcase took place in June 2023 in Delray Beach, Florida, where around 20 MLB organizations were present, with the Cardinals and Marlins emerging as the main contenders.
Luis posted a 6.2-second time in the 60-yard dash and showed off a 60-grade arm both at shortstop and in center field. As a hitter, he impressed with a fluid, compact swing, capable of hitting to all areas of the field, with potential to develop power. His tools are expected to continue improving, and he displays outstanding athleticism.
At one point, I reported verbal agreement between Leon and the Cardinals for a bonus of around $850,000. However, the deal fell through due to issues with registration and free agency eligibility, preventing Luis from signing during the designated period.
After being deemed ineligible for the final stage of the 2022-2023 international signing period, León re-entered the market, with the Marlins emerging as the front-runner.
Four Marlins scouts, including their then-International Director Adrian Lorenzo, conducted a thorough evaluation of León.
In April 2024, he was declared a free agent by the MLB Commissioner's Office. Despite not being listed among the top international prospects of 2023, León is considered a true talent, and I estimate he ranks among the top 20 prospects with the most potential in the current international period, which concludes on December 15, 2024.
Leon will be the 23rd Cuban-born player signed in the current period and #31 the Marlins sign. Of those 31, Leon is the first Cuban.
Luis Manuel Léon
Birthplace: Mayabeque, Cuba
DOB: 7/21/2006
HT: 6´2”
WT: 175
Agent: Ryde Rodriguez
Scouts: Adrian Lorenzo, Roman Ocumarez, Adrian Puig
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Bats: R
Throws: R