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Orioles 22-year-old minor league left-hander Luis De León pitched at three levels of the farm system this year, was selected for the Arizona Fall League and didn’t miss a beat.
De León, the 21st-ranked prospect in the organization per MLB Pipeline, allowed an unearned run and one hit in four innings in his first AFL start with the Peoria Javelinas. He also struck out seven batters.
De León climbed from Class A Delmarva to High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Chesapeake, making three starts with the Baysox and allowing only three earned runs and striking out 24 in 16 innings. Overall, he posted a 3.30 ERA in 20 games this year, struck out 107 in 87 1/3 innings and didn’t surrender a home run.
A scout from outside the organization has watched De León multiple times, including the AFL start, and described him as “really exciting.”
“Really good (stuff),” he said. “Good fastball, a good slider, the changeup’s coming. Kind of gave him a chance at being a bottom-of-the-rotation type arm with upside. I think he’s gonna have to develop a fourth pitch, but he’s only 22.”
This same scout raves about 19-year-old outfielder Nate George, chosen as the Orioles’ Minor League Player of the Year. They drafted George in the 16th round in 2024 out of Minooka Community High School in Illinois, a first professional season carried him to three levels – the FCL, Delmarva and Aberdeen – and he hit a combined .337/.413/.483 with 14 doubles, nine triples, five home runs, 42 RBIs, 38 walks, 62 strikeouts and 50 stolen bases in 87 games.
Baseball America ranks George as the Orioles’ No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline has him eighth. Baseball America also rates George as 78th in the minors.
“Nate George is gonna be so much fun,” the scout said. “Kind of an out-of-nowhere guy, and the kid is an absolute spark plug. Plays with so much energy. Can play center field, has a plus arm, is a plus runner, looks to have good bat-to-ball skills. Could be maybe like a Brett Gardner type profile, maybe a little bit better hitter in the end.
“He’s just 19, a high school kid, which is shocking because you just wonder how they got him in the 16th round for the money ($455,000) they got him for. That’s kind of the only piece of the puzzle I don’t quite understand, but maybe just really wanted to go play pro ball.”
* Another opposing scout observed that teams kept pitching Samuel Basallo down and in during two series that he attended at Camden Yards.
About 10 percent of pitches to Basallo were down and in, according to Statcast data. He went 2-for-7 with two home runs and four strikeouts.
Overall, Basallo hit .165 with a .559 OPS in 31 games. Ten of his 18 hits went for extra bases – six doubles and four home runs.
The season ended with Basallo going 2-for-26 after homering on Sept. 16 in Chicago. But he also tied outfielder Dylan Beavers for the team lead this season with two walk-off hits.
Ramón Urías was the last Orioles rookie to lead the team in walk-offs with a grand total of one in 2021, per STATS.
Other Orioles rookies to lead or share in the lead since 1974:
2009: Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters with one.
2008: Luis Hernández with one.
1994: Jeffrey Hammonds with one.
1993: Jack Voigt with one.
1991: David Segui with two.
1986: Jim Traber with one.
1983: John Stefero with two.
1982: Cal Ripken Jr. with one.
Basallo and Beavers are unique because they didn’t debut until August.
* Another scout said he’d recommend Ryan Mountcastle to his National League club if the first baseman became available.
The Orioles must decide whether to tender Mountcastle a contract in his final year of arbitration eligibility, with MLBTradeRumors.com projecting a raise to $7.8 million. They could check the trade market and try to swing a deal.
The scout gave Mountcastle high marks for his quick bat, power, running and defense.
Injuries remain an issue with Mountcastle missing chunks of the season. He’s played in 115, 124 and 89 games the past three years.
* Another scout wonders whether the Orioles would negotiate a long-term contract extension with Kyle Bradish.
Bradish isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2028 season. He was a Super Two, giving him four years of arbitration eligibility. The Orioles probably don’t feel any urgency here, but it’s an interesting topic.
There’s no question that Bradish can be a staff ace. He’s got the stuff and he’s produced the results, but he turns 30 next season, and the scout wonders whether the Orioles would make a hefty financial commitment.
Trevor Rogers turns 28 in November and is a free agent after the 2026 season. He should be ahead in line, but the raises will keep coming to Bradish, who was paid $2.35 million this season and has a projected 2026 salary of $2.8 million after returning from elbow reconstructive surgery and making six starts.
That’s a bargain for a No. 1, which is Bradish’s ceiling and possibly his designation next season.
* Two scouts used the same word regarding Jeremiah Jackson.
Is Jackson’s production at the plate “sustainable?”
Jackson appeared in 48 games after his Aug. 1 arrival to the majors. He received 170 at-bats and slashed .276/.328/.447 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 21 RBIs. He built a 16-game on-base streak from Aug. 21-Sept. 6.
The bat is so important to Jackson because he’s got to hit to stick. He’s played just about every position in the minors but only right field and third base in the majors except for one inning at second. He isn’t really a super-utility player despite how his resume reads. But the Orioles will find a spot for him on their roster if he can be trusted at a couple of spots and keep getting on base.
Jackson didn’t do much of it at Chesapeake, where he hit .254/.291/.412 in 45 games. He went off with Triple-A Norfolk, batting .377/.400/.673 with 11 home runs in 40 games, but he’s a career .250/.313/.471 hitter in seven minor league seasons.
Sustainable? We’re gonna find out.
