Daniel Robert Ponce de Leon (born January 16, 1992), formerly known as Daniel Poncedeleon, is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

who is a free agent. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

Amateur career

Ponce de Leon attended La Mirada High School in

La Mirada, California La Mirada is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, California United States, and is one of the Gateway Cities, on the border with Orange County, California, Orange County. The population was 48,008 at the 2020 ...

. In 2010, his senior year, he went 6–3 with a 2.95

earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...

(ERA). The

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...

selected him in the 24th round of the

2010 MLB draft The 2010 Major League Baseball draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. First-round selections The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team picking first. ;Key ...

, but he did not sign and enrolled at the

University of Arizona The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it ...

to play

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...

for the

Arizona Wildcats The Arizona Wildcats are the sport, athletic teams that represent the University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, Tucson. The Wildcats compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NCAA Division I, Division I (NCAA Divis ...

. He pitched only three innings as a freshman, and then transferred to Cypress Junior College for the 2012 season. After that season, he was drafted by the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...

in the 38th round of the

2012 MLB draft The 2012 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 4 through June 6, 2012, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Houston Astros, with the first overall pick, selected Carlos Correa from the Puerto Rico Baseball Ac ...

, but once again did not sign. After the season, he transferred once again, this time to the

University of Houston The University of Houston (; ) is a Public university, public research university in Houston, Texas, United States. It was established in 1927 as Houston Junior College, a coeducational institution and one of multiple junior colleges formed in ...

. In 15 starts for Houston for the 2013 season, he was 7–5 with a 4.47 ERA. Following the season, Ponce de Leon was drafted by the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...

in the 14th round of the

2013 MLB draft The 2013 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2013. The first two rounds were broadcast from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. Each team received one selection per round, going in reverse order of t ...

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 The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...

ruled that he was ineligible to return. He then enrolled at

Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private university focused on aviation and aerospace programs based in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, United States. It is the largest accredited university system specializing in ...

. In 14 starts, he was 9–2 with a 1.60 ERA, holding batters to a .196 batting average.

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals

After the season, the

drafted Ponce de Leon in the ninth round of the

2014 MLB draft The 2014 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 5 through June 7, 2014, to assign amateur baseball players to MLB teams. The first two rounds were conducted on June 5, followed by rounds three through ten on June 6, and the last 30 round ...

, and he signed. After signing, Ponce de Leon made his professional debut that same season with the

State College Spikes The State College Spikes are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in State College, Pennsylvania, and play their home games at Medlar Field on the campus of Pennsylvania State University. The team was fo ...

of the

Low-A Single-A, formerly known as Class A and sometimes as Low-A, is the fourth-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States, below Triple-A, Double-A, and High-A. There are 30 teams classified at the Single-A level, one for ...

New York–Penn League The New York–Penn League (NYPL) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the northeastern United States from 1939 to 2020. Classified as a Class A Short Season league, its season started in June, after major-league teams signed th ...

. In 12 games (ten starts), he was 3–3 with a 2.44 ERA. In 2015, he pitched for the

Peoria Chiefs The Peoria Chiefs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The team was established in 1983 as the Peoria Suns. They are located in Peoria, Illinois, and are named for the Pe ...

of the

Single-A Single-A, formerly known as Class A and sometimes as Low-A, is the fourth-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States, below Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A, Double-A (baseball), Double-A, and High-A. There are 30 teams cl ...

Midwest League The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...

and the

Palm Beach Cardinals The Palm Beach Cardinals are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in the town of Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida, and play their home games at Roge ...

of the

High-A High-A, officially Class High-A, formerly known as Class A-Advanced, and sometimes abbreviated "A+" in writing, is the third-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Canada, below Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A and D ...

Florida State League The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...

, 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 The Springfield Cardinals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. They are members of the Texas League's North Division and serve as the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Springfield Cardinals began pl ...

of the Double-A

Texas League The Texas League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated in the South Central United States since 1902. It is classified as a Double-A league. Despite the league's name, only its five South Division teams are actually based in the ...

, going 9–8 with a 2.53 ERA in 27 starts. He began 2017 with the

Memphis Redbirds The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbird ...

of the Triple-A

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

. On May 9, 2017, while pitching against Víctor Caratini of the

Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. T ...

, Caratini hit a line drive that struck Ponce de Leon in the head. He had emergency surgery and remained in the hospital for three weeks after the incident. He was cleared for baseball activities in August, but did not return to baseball until spring training 2018. He began 2018 with Memphis. On June 11, 2018, the Cardinals promoted Ponce de Leon to the major leagues. In 12 games prior to his call-up, he was 5–2 with a

-leading 2.41 ERA. He did not make an appearance with St. Louis and was optioned to Memphis on June 15. He was recalled again on July 23. He was 9–3 with a 2.15 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) with Memphis. He made his major league debut that night as St. Louis's starting pitcher at

Great American Ball Park Great American Ball Park is a baseball stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It is the ballpark of Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, and opened on March 31, 2003, replacing Cinergy Field (formerly Riverfront Stadium), the Reds' fo ...

versus the

. In his debut, Ponce de Leon threw seven no-hit innings in which he struck out three and walked three on 116 pitches. He was optioned back to Memphis the next day, and recalled by St. Louis once again on July 27. 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. 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 innings pitched with St. Louis during the regular season, he went 1–2 with a 3.70 ERA, striking out 52. 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 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. He was subsequently outrighted to the

. The following day, the Cardinals released him.

Los Angeles Angels

On January 25, 2022, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

. Ponce de Leon was released by the Angels organization on April 4.

Seattle Mariners

On April 9, 2022, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

. He started 16 games for the Triple-A

Tacoma Rainiers The Tacoma Rainiers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. They are located in Tacoma, Washington, and play their home games at Cheney Stadium, ...

, struggling to a 5–8 record and 7.95 ERA with 80 strikeouts in innings pitched. The Mariners released him on July 20.

Washington Nationals

On July 22, 2022, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the

Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...

organization. He started seven games for the Triple-A

Rochester Red Wings The Rochester Red Wings are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They are located in Rochester, New York, and play their home games at Innovative Fie ...

, working to a 1–3 record and 5.65 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 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 The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

and assigned to the

Toledo Mud Hens The Toledo Mud Hens are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Toledo, Ohio, and play their home games at Fifth Third Field. A baseball team nicknamed the ...

. In three 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.

Chicago White Sox

On April 12, 2023, Ponce de Leon signed a minor league contract with the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

. He made 8 appearances (7 starts) for the Triple–A

Charlotte Knights The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field ...

, but struggled to a 1–4 record and 9.99 ERA with 19 strikeouts in innings pitched. Ponce de Leon was released by the White Sox organization on June 8.

Diablos Rojos del México

On June 20, 2023, Ponce de Leon signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the

Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. In six starts with the club, he worked to a 5.81 ERA with 24 strikeouts across innings pitched. In 16 games (nine starts) for the Diablos in 2024, Ponce de Leon compiled a 4–2 record and 4.04 ERA with 64 strikeouts over innings pitched. With the team, he won the

Serie del Rey The Serie del Rey () is the annual championship series of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), held since . The champions from the league's two divisions, the North and South Zones, compete in a best-of-seven series, with the winner being awarded ...

. Ponce de Leon became a free agent following the season.

Personal life

Ponce de Leon was born in

Anaheim, California Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, United States, part of the Greater Los Angeles area. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orang ...

, on January 16, 1992, to Ramon and Mary Poncedeleon. He has three sisters. He married Jennifer Beatty in February 2018. The couple met while attending Embry–Riddle University. The couple's first child, a son, was born in November 2016. Their second child, a daughter, was born in February 2021. His surname was originally spelled as one word, Poncedeleon, but he legally changed the spelling to three words, Ponce de Leon, in 2018.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ponce de Leon, Daniel 1992 births Living people Sportspeople from La Mirada, California Baseball players from Anaheim, California Major League Baseball pitchers St. Louis Cardinals players Arizona Wildcats baseball players Cypress Chargers baseball players Houston Cougars baseball players Embry–Riddle Eagles baseball players State College Spikes players Peoria Chiefs players Palm Beach Cardinals players Rochester Red Wings players Springfield Cardinals players Memphis Redbirds players Tacoma Rainiers players Charlotte Knights players La Mirada High School alumni Baseball players from Los Angeles County, California American baseball players of Mexican descent