Marlins to complete 2024 international signing class with Cuban prospect Luis Manuel León

[Ely Sussman]

León will reportedly receive a $1.5M bonus, the largest for any international amateur that the Fish have signed this year.

Annually, the vast majority of international free agent activity is concentrated around January 15, but there are occasionally exceptions. The Miami Marlins are making a very, very, very big exception for Cuban prospect Luis Manuel León. According to Beisbol FR's Francys Romero, León is expected to officially sign with the club "in the coming weeks" for a $1.5M bonus.  

The 18-year-old León will be the highest-paid player in Miami's 2024 signing class, accounting for approximately 23% of their $6.52M bonus pool, edging out Venezuelan OF Luis Cova ($1.4M). He'll also be the only Cuban in the class.

The Marlins pursued León for more than a year, attending a showcase held in Delray Beach, Florida, way back in June 2023. Romero reports that he "posted a 6.2-second time in the 60-yard dash and showed off a 60-grade arm both at shortstop and in center field. As a hitter, he impressed with a fluid, compact swing, capable of hitting to all areas of the field, with potential to develop power."

León is listed at 6'2" and 175 pounds.

León intended to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals shortly after the showcase, settling for the $850k they had left to spend during the 2023 signing period rather than having to wait for the following year. "However, the deal fell through due to issues with registration and free agency eligibility," per Romero. The MLB commissioner's office finally declared him a free agent in April 2024.

Romero specifies that four members of the Marlins international scouting department were thorough in their evaluation of León, including Adrian Lorenzo, who left his position as senior director of international scouting a full year ago. David Hernandez-Beayne was recently promoted to lead the department.

León's older brother, Pedro, is an outfielder in the Houston Astros organization who made his major league debut earlier this season. 

It is typical for international amateurs to begin their affiliated ball careers in the Dominican Summer League. Due to León's drawn-out signing process, he'll be significantly older than the DSL competition in 2025 (turning 19 on July 21). He could make his minor league debut in the Florida Complex League instead to expedite his development.

Romero adds that the Marlins still have $167,500 left in their 2024 bonus pool. They have until December 15 to use it or lose it.

As Fish On First previously reported, the Marlins already have big plans for the 2025 signing class, featuring CF/SS Andrew Salas, 3B Juan Tomás and RHP Kevin Defrank.

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

As the colloquialism goes, it's all on Bendix going forward, I'm onboard with the long-term drafting and developmental strategy as the only way forward to Marlins sustainable competitiveness.