Daniel Ponce de Leon

Daniel Robert Ponce de Leon (born January 16, 1992), formerly known as Daniel Poncedeleon, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals.

For the Mexican professional boxer, see Daniel Ponce de León.

Daniel Ponce de Leon
Ponce de Leon with the Cardinals in 2019
Diablos Rojos del México – No. 22
Pitcher
Born: (1992-01-16) January 16, 1992
Anaheim, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 23, 2018, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record3–8
Earned run average4.33
Strikeouts152
Teams

Amateur career

Ponce de Leon attended La Mirada High School in La Mirada, California. In 2010, his senior year, he went 6–3 with a 2.95 earned run average (ERA).[1] The Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the 24th round of the 2010 MLB draft, but he did not sign and enrolled at the University of Arizona to play college baseball for the Arizona Wildcats.[2] He pitched only three innings as a freshman, and then transferred to Cypress Junior College for the 2012 season.[3] After that season, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 38th round of the 2012 MLB draft, but once again did not sign. After the season, he transferred once again, this time to the University of Houston. In 15 starts for Houston for the 2013 season, he was 7–5 with a 4.47 ERA.[4]

Following the season, Ponce de Leon was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the 2013 MLB draft and the two parties had reached a deal. However, he failed his physical due to concerns about nerve placement in his elbow and did not sign. Ponce de Leon planned to return to Houston, but the NCAA ruled that he was ineligible to return. He then enrolled at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University.[5] In 14 starts, he was 9–2 with a 1.60 ERA, holding batters to a .196 batting average.[6]

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

After the season, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted Ponce de Leon in the ninth round of the 2014 MLB draft,[7] and he signed.

After signing, Ponce de Leon made his professional debut that same season with the State College Spikes of the Low-A New York–Penn League. In 12 games (ten starts), he was 3–3 with a 2.44 ERA. In 2015, he pitched for the Peoria Chiefs of the Single-A Midwest League and the Palm Beach Cardinals of the High-A Florida State League, compiling a combined 11–2 record with a 2.12 ERA and a 1.10 walks plus hits divided by innings pitched in 20 games (19 starts), and in 2016, he pitched for the Springfield Cardinals of the Double-A Texas League, going 9–8 with a 2.53 ERA in 27 starts. He began 2017 with the Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.[8]

On May 9, 2017, while pitching against Víctor Caratini of the Iowa Cubs, Caratini hit a line drive that struck Ponce de Leon in the head.[9][10] He had emergency surgery[11] and remained in the hospital for three weeks after the incident.[12] He was cleared for baseball activities in August,[13] but did not return to baseball until spring training 2018.[14] He began 2018 with Memphis.

On June 11, 2018, the Cardinals promoted Ponce de Leon to the major leagues.[15] In 12 games prior to his call-up, he was 5–2 with a Pacific Coast League-leading 2.41 ERA.[16] He did not make an appearance with St. Louis and was optioned to Memphis on June 15.[17] He was recalled again on July 23. He was 9–3 with a 2.15 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) with Memphis.[18] He made his major league debut that night as St. Louis's starting pitcher at Great American Ball Park versus the Cincinnati Reds.[19] In his debut, Ponce de Leon threw seven no-hit innings in which he struck out three and walked three on 116 pitches.[20] He was optioned back to Memphis the next day, and recalled by St. Louis once again on July 27.[21] In total in 2018 for St. Louis, Ponce de Leon made 11 appearances, with four being starts, posting a 0–2 record with a 2.73 ERA in 33 innings pitched.[22]

Ponce de Leon began the 2019 season in Memphis, but was recalled to St. Louis multiple different times before he was called up for the remainder of the year on September 1. Through 48+2⁄3 innings pitched with St. Louis during the regular season, he went 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA, striking out 52.[23] In a shortened 2020 season, he pitched to a 1-3 record with a 4.96 ERA and 45 strikeouts over nine games (eight starts) and 32+2⁄3 innings.

Ponce de Leon made 24 appearances with St. Louis in 2021, going 1-1 with a 6.21 ERA and 24 strikeouts. On September 20, 2021, the Cardinals designated Ponce de Leon for assignment.[24] He was subsequently outrighted to the Triple-A West Memphis Redbirds.[25] The following day, the Cardinals released him.[26]

Los Angeles Angels

On January 25, 2022, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[27] Ponce de Leon was released by the Angels organization on April 4.[28]

Seattle Mariners

On April 9, 2022, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[29] He started 16 games for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, struggling to a 5-8 record and 7.95 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 71.1 innings pitched. The Mariners released him on July 20.[30]

Washington Nationals

On July 22, 2022, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization.[31] He started 7 games for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, working to a 1-3 record and 5.65 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 28.2 innings of work. He was released on September 5.

Detroit Tigers

On September 9, 2022, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers and assigned to the Toledo Mud Hens.[32] In 3 starts for Toledo, he registered a pristine 3–0 record and 1.69 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[33]

Chicago White Sox

On April 12, 2023, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[34] He made 8 appearances (7 starts) for the Triple–A Charlotte Knights, but struggled to a 1–4 record and 9.99 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 24+1⁄3 innings pitched. Ponce de Leon was released by the White Sox organization on June 8.[35]

Diablos Rojos del México

On June 20, 2023, Ponce de Leon signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.[36]

Personal life

Ponce de Leon was born in Anaheim, California, on January 16, 1992, to Ramon and Mary Poncedeleon. He has three sisters.[37]

He married Jennifer Beatty in February 2018.[37][38] The couple met while attending Embry–Riddle University.[39] The couple's first child, a son, was born in November 2016.[40] Their second child, a daughter, was born in February 2021.[41]

His surname was originally spelled as one word, Poncedeleon, but he legally changed the spelling to three words, Ponce de Leon, in 2018.[39][42][43]

References
  1. "ATHLETES OF THE YEAR: Poncedeleon, Delgado honored for spectacular seasons". July 9, 2010.
  2. Post-Dispatch store. "BenFred: Poncedeleon finds home with Cards | Ben Frederickson". stltoday.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  3. "St. Louis Cardinals: Sit down with Daniel Poncedeleon". January 9, 2018.
  4. Duarte, Joseph (June 9, 2013). "UH pitcher Poncedeleon signs contract with Cubs – Sports Update". Blog.chron.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  5. Halsted, Alex (May 24, 2018). "Poncedeleon drafted for fourth time as Cards pick righty". MLB.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  6. "Poncedeleon had many stops on way to being drafted by Cardinals". Stlsportspage.com. June 6, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  7. Hummel, Rick. "Cards take pitcher coming off elbow surgery | St. Louis Cardinals". stltoday.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  8. "Daniel Poncedeleon Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  9. Sattell, Glenn (May 24, 2018). "Redbirds' Daniel Poncedeleon hit by line drive". MLB.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  10. Langosch, Jenifer. "Daniel Poncedeleon returning form brain injury". MLB.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  11. Goold, Derrick (June 5, 2017). "Poncedeleon's recovery 'nothing short of a miracle' | St. Louis Cardinals". stltoday.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  12. Gallant, Jacob (July 20, 2018). "Redbirds' Pocedeleon released from hospital 3 weeks after line d – WMC Action News 5 – Memphis, Tennessee". WMC Action News 5. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  13. "Three months after injury, Poncedeleon cleared for baseball activities". Stlsportspage.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  14. Post-Dispatch store (February 22, 2018). "Almost a year after frightening injury, Poncedeleon readies for 'just another game' | Derrick Goold: Bird Land". stltoday.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  15. AP (June 11, 2018). "Cardinals bring up Poncedeleon, send down Voit". FOX Sports. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  16. Ritter, Michael. "Cardinals recall right-handed pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon; option". KMOV.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  17. RotoWire Staff (June 15, 2018). "Cardinals' Daniel Poncedeleon: Heads back to minors". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  18. "Cards place Wong on DL with knee inflammation". MLB.com. July 23, 2018.
  19. Sears, Ethan (January 1, 1970). "Cardinals call up pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon a year after scary head injury". Nypost.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  20. R.J. Anderson. "Cardinals' Daniel Poncedeleon throws seven no-hit innings in historic MLB debut". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  21. Steve Adams (July 27, 2018). "Cardinals Designate Tyler Lyons For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  22. "St. Louis Cardinals 2018 player grades: Starting pitchers | Sports". kmov.com. October 2, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  23. "DANIEL PONCE DE LEON, Starter/Reliever".
  24. "Cardinals Release Daniel Ponce de Leon".
  25. "Cardinals Release Daniel Ponce de Leon".
  26. "Cardinals Release Daniel Ponce de Leon".
  27. "Angels, Daniel Ponce de Leon Agree To Minor League Deal".
  28. "Daniel Ponce de Leon: Seeking new organization".
  29. "Mariners Sign Daniel Ponce de Leon".
  30. "Mariners Release Daniel Ponce de Leon".
  31. "Nationals Sign David Dahl, Daniel Ponce de Leon".
  32. "Hens take series opener in dominating fashion". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  33. "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  34. "White Sox's Daniel Ponce de Leon: Inks minors deal with CHW".
  35. https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-06-08
  36. "DIABLOS ANUNCIA LA INCORPORACIÓN DE PAR DE LANZADORES COMO REFUERZOS". diablos.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  37. Trezza, Joe (February 25, 2018). "Poncedeleon back after life-threatening scare". MLB.com. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  38. "Cardinals to recall Daniel Poncedeleon 14 months after liner to head". ESPN.com. July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  39. Gold, Derrick (February 26, 2018). "With family and teammates watching, 'Ponce' returns to Cardinals mound". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  40. "Daniel Poncedeleon, pitcher for St. Louis Cardinals, to work out after recovering from hit". Espn.co.uk. February 6, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  41. @_ponce14 (February 12, 2021). "We have a new addition to our family. Welcome Baby Sophia Ponce de Leon. Born last night at 11:02pm. Mom and baby a…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  42. Stull, Brian (January 28, 2019). "Ponce de Leon Restored and Ready". St. Louis Baseball Weekly. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  43. Lukas, Paul (March 26, 2019). "Uni Watch: Every design tweak for all 30 MLB teams in 2019". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
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