Boston Red Sox Sign Former Top Pitching Prospect

March 06, 2025

The Boston Red Sox have signed former top pitching prospect José De León to a minor league contract, marking his return to the organization for a second stint. 

The 32-year-old right-hander announced the move on Instagram, posting a video of himself putting on a Red Sox hat with the caption, “We’re back in business.” De León last pitched in the majors for the Minnesota Twins in 2023, making 12 appearances before undergoing Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. 

After missing the entire 2024 season while rehabbing, he returned to the mound this winter in Puerto Rico and impressed with a 1.32 ERA over 13.2 innings in the regular season and the Caribbean Series.

Once regarded as one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, De León was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 and ranked No. 28 overall by MLB Pipeline in 2017. 

He made his MLB debut in 2016 but struggled to establish himself due to injuries, bouncing between the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and Minnesota Twins. 

Over parts of six big-league seasons, he owns a career 7.44 ERA over 65.1 innings, though his ability to generate strikeouts has remained a strength. This will be his second time in the Red Sox system, having previously signed a minor league deal in 2021 without making the major league roster.

Now healthy, De León will provide pitching depth for Boston and is expected to start the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester. 

His strong winter ball performance caught the attention of Red Sox evaluators, and manager Alex Cora likely got an up-close look while De León pitched for Caguas, Cora’s hometown team.

Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

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