FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2018
Contact: Jared Shlensky
[email protected]

GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats signed former MLB pitcher Jorge De Leon for the third time in the last three years and placed RHP Edward Cruz on irrevocable waivers before Friday’s series opener against the Wichita Wingnuts.

Among qualifying pitchers (minimum of 50 games) in Gary SouthShore RailCats history, De Leon ranks second among career leaders in winning percentage (.692) and opponents batting average (.223) and is third in saves (21) and WHIP (1.13). Last season with Gary, De Leon went 9-2 with 10 saves and a 1.74 ERA in 33 appearances (one start). In 51.2 innings, the 30-year-old limited opposing hitters to a .229 batting average and allowed 10 earned runs on 43 hits and 10 walks and struck out 46 hitters. In his second season with the RailCats, De Leon led the team in wins (nine) and was second in saves (10). In his first season of Independent Professional Baseball with Gary in 2016, De finished with a team-high 11 saves and went 0-2 with a 1.70 ERA in 21 relief appearances.

De Leon made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 2013 and finished the year with 11 total relief outings. De Leon also became the first pitcher in over a century to retire the side on three pitches after setting the Cincinnati Reds down in order in the 12th inning on September 18, 2013. De Leon made eight more relief appearances with the Astros in 2014, finishing without a record and a 4.91 ERA.

After spending time in the MLB with Houston in 2013 and 2014, De Leon split time between Double-A and Triple-A in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins organizations in 2015, finishing 1-5 with two saves and a 4.75 ERA in 42 combined outings.

The right-hander began his professional career as a shortstop in 2006 after being signed by Houston out of Azua, D.R., at 19-years-old. De Leon converted to pitching in 2010, and spent a total of 10 seasons in organizational baseball.

Cruz signed his first American Association contract with Gary on July 28th and threw two scoreless appearances with the ‘Cats. In two innings out of the bullpen, Cruz yielded no hits, walked two batters and struck out two hitters. 

Prior to signing with Gary, Cruz last played professional baseball with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League in 2016, finishing without a record and a 3.38 ERA in one start. In 2.2 innings, Cruz yielded one run on two hits, walked three and struck out none in a no-decision.

The right-hander began his professional baseball career in 2013 after getting selected by the Miami Marlins in the 34th round of the 2013 MLB Draft out Western Oklahoma State College. In 14 relief appearances with the Gulf Coast League Marlins (Rookie Ball), Cruz went 1-3 with a 7.59 ERA. In 21.1 innings, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native allowed 18 earned runs on 28 hits and 18 walks and struck out 21 over 21.1 innings pitched.

Gary begins a six-game homestand on Friday at 7:10 p.m. vs. the Wichita Wingnuts. Friday’s game vs. Wichita is Scout Night, Faith and Family Night and a Fifth Third Bank Fireworks Friday. RailCats RHP Gabe Perez (3-1, 4.08) opposes Wingnuts LHP Casey Harman (8-2, 3.01).

Jared Shlensky and Brennan Mense bring you all 100 RailCats game this season on WEFM (95.9 FM) and online at railcatsbaseball.com. Ticket packages for the 2018 Gary SouthShore RailCats season are available online at railcatsbaseball.com and can also be purchased by calling the RailCats ticket line at (219) 882-BALL. The RailCats box office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.