Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40 

The Tigers couldn’t complete a big deal at last year’s Trade Deadline when Eduardo Rodriguez declined a move to the Dodgers, but Detroit still snagged a prospect by acquiring Leonard -- designated for assignment by Los Angeles -- for cash. Signed for $200,000 out of the Dominican Republic in the 2017-18 international class, Leonard struggled at Double-A Tulsa, and the Dodgers needed a 40-man roster spot. The Tigers gave Leonard a fresh start and promoted him to Triple-A Toledo, and he took full advantage, showing the potential he had flashed in years past and placing himself firmly in the Tigers’ roster conversation.

Leonard is a high-energy, hyper-aggressive player who has learned to temper the latter as he has progressed up the development ladder. He has the bat speed to catch up with his fastballs and strength to pound mistakes for damage, though he tended to hit sinkers into the ground. Much of his power in Toledo down the stretch came from punishing sliders. He had much more success against lefties last year, a departure from his near-even platoon splits for most of his career. After playing shortstop almost exclusively for his final two years in the Dodgers' system with mixed results, the Tigers found success moving him around the field.

While Leonard can handle shortstop for stretches, his future in the Tigers' system likely lies in an offense-first super-utility role. His ability to crush pitches will earn him a look, even though he chases outside the zone a bit too much, and that's continued in 2024 with strong exit velocities. Leonard dealt with multiple hamstring injuries earlier this season at Triple-A but got hot late in the summer to salvage what could have been a lost campaign.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40 

Despite being limited to paying no more than $300,000 to individual players in the 2017-18 international class as a penalty for spending $96 million on that market two years earlier, the Dodgers still hauled in four quality position players. Miguel Vargas and Andy Pages (both from Cuba) entered 2023 as Top 100 prospects, Jorbit Vivas (Venezuela) is the best contact hitter in the system and Leonard (Dominican Republic) was considered the most athletic of the group. Signed for $200,000, he recovered from a slow start last season to lead the High-A Midwest League in runs (80), hits (131), extra-base hits (51) and total bases (216), but he wasn’t quite turning the corner in 2023 at Double-A Tulsa when he was designated for assignment in July. The Tigers acquired him for cash considerations on the day of the Trade Deadline.

Leonard's quick hands and whippy right-handed swing generate electric bat speed, and he also has gotten significantly stronger by adding 35 pounds since turning pro. Those attributes give him 20-homer potential, though he can get himself into trouble with an aggressive, pull-happy mentality. He'll have to make adjustments against more advanced pitchers who will be able to exploit his approach more easily. 

While Leonard has good athleticism, average speed and solid arm strength, his long-term defensive home remains in question. He lacks the range and consistency to play shortstop regularly in the big leagues, and he also hasn't wowed scouts at second base, third or center field. His best paths to Detroit are as an offensive-minded second baseman or utilityman, but he’ll need to start hitting again in his new organization to meet that ceiling.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50 

Though they were limited to maximum $300,000 international bonuses in 2017-18 as a penalty for spending $96 million on that market two years earlier, the Dodgers still found several talented position prospects, including Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas (Cuba), Leonard (Dominican Republic) and Jorbit Vivas (Venezuela). Signed for $200,000, Leonard is the most versatile athlete among that group. He batted .297/.390/.539 with 22 homers as a 20-year-old getting his first extended taste of full-season ball in 2021, earning a spot on the 40-man roster. 

Bigger and stronger than his listed 160 pounds, Leonard has quick hands and a whippy right-handed stroke that produce electric bat speed. While he can get a bit pull-conscious, he makes consistent hard contact and is showing at least 20-homer potential as he learns to drive the ball more consistently. He recognizes pitches well and manages the strike zone effectively. 

Leonard possesses solid arm strength and similar speed that has translated more into defensive versatility than stolen bases at this point. He played primarily at shortstop last season but also had double-digit starts at second base, third base and center field. He needs to cut down on his youthful errors but projects as an average defender at shortstop, potentially plus at second and somewhere in between at third and center. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

As a penalty for spending $96 million on international players in 2015-16, the Dodgers were limited to maximum $300,000 bonuses in the next two classes. That didn't stop them from finding a slew of talented offensive prospects in 2017-18, with Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas (Cuba), Leonard (Dominican Republic) and Jorbit Vivas (Venezuela) all ranking among the best in the system. Signed for $200,000, Leonard has performed well in his full-season debut this year at age 20 and merited a promotion to High-A in August.

Leonard has quick hands and a whippy right-handed swing that produce hard contact to all fields. Bigger and stronger than his listed 160 pounds, he's driving the ball more in 2021 and projects to produce 15-20 homers annually. He's not afraid to work deep counts in search of pitches to punish, drawing a healthy amount of walks while not striking out excessively.

Leonard's solid speed and athleticism lend themselves more to defensive versatility than stolen bases. His quickness and strong arm help him get the job done at shortstop, where he has seen most of his action this year. He's close to a plus defender at second base and solid at third base, and he also has played briefly in center field.

Awards

TEX Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/07/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	11/19/2024	Detroit Tigers designated SS Eddys Leonard for assignment.
	10/20/2024	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Aguilas Cibaenas.
	10/13/2024	Detroit Tigers activated SS Eddys Leonard.
	09/30/2024	Detroit Tigers recalled SS Eddys Leonard from Toledo Mud Hens.
	08/02/2024	Toledo Mud Hens activated SS Eddys Leonard from the 7-day injured list.
	07/23/2024	Toledo Mud Hens sent SS Eddys Leonard on a rehab assignment to West Michigan Whitecaps.
	07/23/2024	Toledo Mud Hens sent SS Eddys Leonard on a rehab assignment to West Michigan Whitecaps.
	07/19/2024	Toledo Mud Hens sent SS Eddys Leonard on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	06/26/2024	Toledo Mud Hens placed SS Eddys Leonard on the 7-day injured list.
	06/04/2024	Toledo Mud Hens activated SS Eddys Leonard from the 7-day injured list.
	05/21/2024	Toledo Mud Hens sent SS Eddys Leonard on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
	04/09/2024	Toledo Mud Hens placed SS Eddys Leonard on the 7-day injured list retroactive to April 8, 2024.
	03/19/2024	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Detroit Tigers.
	03/12/2024	Detroit Tigers optioned SS Eddys Leonard to Toledo Mud Hens.
	03/11/2024	Detroit Tigers reassigned SS Eddys Leonard to the minor leagues.
	10/02/2023	Detroit Tigers recalled SS Eddys Leonard from Toledo Mud Hens.
	08/01/2023	Los Angeles Dodgers traded SS Eddys Leonard to Detroit Tigers for cash.
	08/01/2023	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Toledo Mud Hens.
	07/28/2023	Los Angeles Dodgers designated SS Eddys Leonard for assignment.
	03/15/2023	Los Angeles Dodgers optioned SS Eddys Leonard to Tulsa Drillers.
	03/15/2023	Tulsa Drillers activated SS Eddys Leonard.
	02/16/2023	SS Eddys Leonard changed number to 80.
	10/16/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers activated SS Eddys Leonard.
	10/15/2022	Leones del Escogido activated SS Eddys Leonard.
	10/15/2022	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Leones del Escogido.
	10/11/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers reassigned SS Eddys Leonard to the minor leagues.
	10/06/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers recalled SS Eddys Leonard from Great Lakes Loons.
	04/05/2022	SS Eddys Leonard and assigned to Great Lakes Loons.
	03/23/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers optioned SS Eddys Leonard to Oklahoma City Dodgers.
	11/19/2021	Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of SS Eddys Leonard from Great Lakes Loons.
	10/27/2021	SS Eddys Leonard and assigned to Leones del Escogido.
	08/03/2021	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Great Lakes Loons from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	05/04/2021	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from Dodgers Organization.
	02/12/2021	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Dodgers Organization.
	02/12/2021	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Dodgers Organization.
	08/27/2019	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Ogden Raptors from AZL Dodgers Lasorda.
	08/27/2019	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Ogden Raptors.
	08/20/2019	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to AZL Dodgers Lasorda from Great Lakes Loons.
	08/18/2019	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to Great Lakes Loons from AZL Dodgers Lasorda.
	06/17/2019	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to AZL Dodgers Lasorda.
	06/01/2018	SS Eddys Leonard assigned to DSL Dodgers Guerrero.
	07/03/2017	Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent SS Eddys Leonard to a minor league contract.