Arnold León

Alex Arnold Leon

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 205 lb.

• Debut April 22, 2015
• Final Game April 9, 2016
• Born September 6, 1988 in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico

BR page

Biographical Information

Arnold León made his major league debut in 2015.

León initially signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo. In 2006, he allowed one run in 3 1/3 IP in the regular season with two hits and two walks allowed. He struggled in the playoffs, with two hits, a walk and two runs without retiring anyone. He was a very good reliever for the 2007 Saraperos (3-0, Sv, 1.94 in 35 G, .217 opponent average, 24 BB in 41 2/3 IP). He again faltered in the postseason (2 R in 2/3 IP). In winter ball with the Tomateros de Culiacán, he had a 6-0, 3.49 record, then had a 2.45 ERA and .154 opponent average in five playoff games. He tied for 6th in the Mexican Pacific League in victories. In March 2008, his control was sold to the Oakland Athletics at the recommendation of A's scout Juan Navarette.

In 2008, Arnold split time between the Stockton Ports (2 Sv, 2.86 in 20 G, 28 K in 28 1/3 IP) and the Saraperos (2-1, 4.30 in 13 G, 21 K in 14 2/3 IP). The next year, he was 2-2 with a save and a 3.51 ERA in 33 games for the Midland Rockhounds, missing a month with a right elbow strain. On August 1, he teamed with Jason Fernandez on a 7-inning no-hitter. He lost game one of the Texas League Championship, giving up three unearned runs in four innings, but Midland still won it all. With Culiacan in the winter, he was 2-0 with a save and a 4.15 ERA. He only pitched three games for Midland in 2010, giving up six hits, three walks and three runs in 4 1/3 IP, with two wild pitches and one strikeout. He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the remainder of the campaign. He returned in limited action with the 2011 AZL A's (0-1, 6 R in 6 1/3 IP).

Arnold was healthy again in 2012, making appearances for the Ports (0-1, 5.28, 26 H, 25 K in 15 1/3 IP), Rockhounds (1-0, Sv, 2.30, 18 K in 15 2/3 IP) and Sacramento Rivercats (3-0, 1.77, 26 H. 31 K in 35 2/3 IP). In winter ball, he was superb for the Tomateros (1-0, 0.79, .179 average allowed in 12 G). He then was a late addition to the Mexican national team for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. In his only outing, he replaced Daniel Rodriguez with two on, two out and a 8-3 deficit in the 8th against Team Canada. He served up a run-scoring single to Michael Saunders, but Justin Morneau was out on the play to end the inning. In the 9th, Chris Robinson got on board with a bunt single, in spite of Canada having a sizeable lead, something which did not please the Mexican team; León then plunked Rene Tosoni in obvious retaliation. That started a bench-clearing brawl, for which León was ejected by home plate umpire Brian Gorman. He was relieved by Jose Cobos, having failed to retire any of the three batters he faced and being charged with one run.

In May 2014, the Oakland A's called Leon up from Triple-A Sacramento. Rotoworld reported that he was to make his major league debut in a doubleheader against the Seattle Mariners on May 7th. However, he did not appear in either game and was then sent back down. It took him almost another full year to play his major league game, as it came on April 22, 2015 for Oakland against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He gave up a run on two hits and a walk in one inning of work.

Related Sites

• Arnold Leon on mlb.com
• BR minors page