Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Jose De Leon was added to the Triple-A Oklahoma City roster and is scheduled to make his 2016 debut on Tuesday, in the second of a four-game home series against Triple-A New Orleans (Miami Marlins affiliate).
Relief pitcher Red Patterson was transferred to Double-A Tulsa to clear room for De Leon on OKC’s roster. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said De Leon would likely be held back at the outset of the season to limit his workload. The young righty remained in extended Spring Training, which served a duel purpose of sorts as De Leon was able to recover from a minor ankle injury.
The 23 year old pitched to mixed results during his time in big league camp this year. De Leon struck out five batters without issuing a walk in six innings, but also surrendered three home runs, including two in his final appearance.
Overall, he gave up nine hits and five runs in six innings of work. Roberts nonetheless thought the experience for De Leon, and his Oklahoma City Dodgers teammate Julio Urias, was a positive one.
This year marks De Leon’s first experience at the Triple-A level. He finished with a 2.99 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 114.1 innings pitched over 23 starts in time split between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Tulsa. De Leon went 2-6 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 16 starts for the Drillers.
The OKC rotation now boasts plenty of talent in Jharel Cotton, De Leon, Zach Lee and Julio Urias. Urias is 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings pitched across four games (three starts).
