Prospect Spotlight: Leo De Vries, SS, Padres
Switch-hitting wunderkind racing through full-season ball; with 70-grade bat speed and rare polish at 18, his 2024 Bowman Chrome autos are already a hobby marquee.
Player Profile
| Height / Weight | B/T | Signed (Bonus) | Org Rank* | Rule-5 EL | ETA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leodalis De Vries | 6′ 1″ / 183 lbs | S/R | 15 Jan 2024 — $4.2 M | #1 SDP / MLB #28 | Dec 2028 | 2028 |
1. Performance Snapshot
| Year | Level | G | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR | SB | BB % | K % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | A (Lake Elsinore) | 75 | .238 | .361 | .442 | 11 | 13 | 15.8 | 21.9 |
| 2025 | High-A (Fort Wayne)* | 39 | .257 | .347 | .475 | 6 | 8 | 11.2 | 23.5 |
Through May 30 — includes a cycle + 8 RBIs on April 22.
At just 18, De Vries is more than three years younger than Midwest League average. His OBP skill held firm while ISO ticked up (.204 → .218), hinting at plus power projection without sacrificing approach.
2. Advanced Indicators (2025 small-sample TrackMan)
| Metric | Value | League Avg | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact % | 76 % | 73 % | Above-avg bat-to-ball for the level |
| Chase % | 22 % | 29 % | Mature zone control fuels walks |
| In-Zone Whiff % | 16 % | 18 % | Slightly better than peers despite aggressive hacks |
| 90th EV | 104 mph | 101 mph | Plus raw; max 110 mph at age 17 |
| GB / FB | 0.95 | 1.15 | Line-drive / loft mix driving HR jump |
3. Scouting Grades (Present / Future)
| Tool | Hit | Game Power | Raw Power | Run | Field | Arm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | 55 / 70 | 40 / 60 | 55 / 65 | 55 / 55 | 50 / 60 | 55 / 55 |
4. Organizational Fit & MLB Outlook — updated
- Shortstop succession plan: Ha-Seong Kim hits free agency after 2025. De Vries — with the defensive chops to stick at SS — sits atop the heir-apparent list.
- Alternate paths: If San Diego re-signs Kim or shifts roster pieces, De Vries’ switch-hit bat and 55 arm give him flexibility to fit at 2B or 3B.
- Development track: High-A at 18 → Double-A San Antonio likely by late 2026. A Futures Game nod this July could cement a Top-20 overall ranking.
5. Sentiment & Prospect Buzz
- Cycle + 8-RBI outburst drew national headlines (“Tatis-esque”).
- Padres brass rave about his “elite makeup,” drawing lofty Tatis comps (minus 80-grade speed).
6. Bowman Chrome Hobby Outlook
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| 1st Chrome Base | 2024 Bowman Chrome #BCP-179 |
| 1st Chrome Auto | 2024 Bowman Chrome #CPA-LD |
| Parallels (common) | Refractor /499 through Blue /150 plentiful; Etched in Glass SSP is case-hit |
| Scarcity Tier | Green Lava /99 & below see biggest premiums; Orange /25 & Red /5 tightly hoarded |
| Recent Prices | Base auto raw $165–200; PSA-10 auto $345; Green Lava /99 raw $450; Etched SSP $130–300 |
| Color-Match Note | Gold /50 pairs with Padres mustard accents — hobby favorite |
Collector POV: De Vries is already a flagship chase in 2024 Bowman. If he torches High-A all summer, expect Gold and Orange autos to flirt with four-figure territory before his 19th birthday.
TL;DR
Leo De Vries blends a 70-grade hit projection with emerging plus power and smooth shortstop actions — thriving in High-A at 18. Smart collectors are finding deals ahead of a likely Top-5 overall rise.