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Houston Astros' Top Prospect Pedro León Cutting Down Strikeouts in Best Offensive Month

Pedro León's improved approach in Triple-A bodes well for his future as depth for the Houston Astros.

Author:
Kenny Van Doren
Publish date:
Jul 26, 2022 6:07 PM EDT

In this story:

With the trade deadline approaching, Pedro León's name will circle fan speculation for the future of the Houston Astros. But as many prospect await their fate Aug. 2, the Astros' top outfielding prospect is having his best month of baseball yet.

In his first full season of Triple-A, the 24-year-old is slashing an .830 OPS, nearly 130 points higher than his first year of Minor League Baseball in 2021. But as León neighbored average offensive production through the first three months, the righty improved his plate approach in July.

León has hit the cover off the ball through 17 games, slashing .302/.479/.472 with three doubles and two home runs. But what stands out the most is León's 14 walks to his nine strikeouts, marking his best strikeouts-to-walk ratio on the season.

Through the first four months, the righty walked only 37 times to his 88 strikeouts. And since the start of June, León is striking out a career-low 22% of the time (12.7% since July 1) while posting a 113 wRC+, according to FanGraphs.

Cutting down on strikeouts is improving León's chances of joining the 40-man roster for a September call-up when rosters expand to 28. But since the Astros house three center fielders on their 40-man roster, León's path to the majors isn't as clear without reliable versatility.

The primary center fielder has dabbled at shortstop and second base, but as he lacks consistent fielding up the middle, the outfield is likely León's home for the future. If León's offense doesn't lift him to a debut in September, the same conversation will arise next spring if the righty continues to adjust to a major-league ready player.