When Tampa Bay Rays fans first read the news, excitement overwhelms them. Tampa Bay is calling up right-handed pitching prospect Jose De Leon, the team's No.1 prospect. But fans will have to temper their excitement just a bit.
De Leon, who the team acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Logan Forsythe trade in the offseason, will work out of the bullpen on Monday. Monday's scheduled starter Erasmo Ramirez, is still expected to start after throwing a 12-pitch save in the 15th inning of Sunday's win against the Minnesota Twins.
Right now this seems to be a temporary call up for De Leon. The righty was slated to start in Triple-A Durham tonight, but was scratched since he lined up with Ramirez and could eat up multiple innings out of the bullpen.
De Leon missed the first month of the season with a right flexor tendon issue. He just returned to the mound on May 12 in High-A Charlotte before he jumped back up to Triple-A Durham. Across three minor league starts this season, two in High-A, De Leon allowed 13 hits, six earned runs and posted a 16/3 K/BB ratio in 12 1/3 innings pitched.
Right now, this seems to be a temporary stay in the majors for De Leon. The 24-year-old needs to be starting and that will likely only come in Triple-A, which would allow him to further develop his skills.
When De Leon comes up for good, eDraft.com will provide a prospect profile on him.