Ben Leeper

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Ben Leeper
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1997-06-15) June 15, 1997 (age 28)
Bedford, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Benjamin Kyle Leeper (born June 15, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.

Amateur career

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Leeper attended Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas.[1] In 2014, as a junior, he went 11–1 with a 0.90 ERA and 106 strikeouts.[2] He underwent Tommy John surgery during his senior year.[3] After graduating, he enrolled at Oklahoma State University where he played college baseball.

Leeper made two appearances as a freshman in 2016 before an arm injury that required a second Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss all of the 2017 season as well.[4] He returned to play in 2018, pitching 27+2⁄3 innings in which he compiled a 12.69 ERA.[5] In 2019, he moved into the closer role and pitched to a 4–4 record, a 4.31 ERA, and seven saves with 43 strikeouts over 31+1⁄3 innings.[6][7] That summer, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[8] He made six appearances in 2020 before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Professional career

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Unselected in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft, Leeper signed with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent on July 21, 2020.[10] Leeper made his professional debut in 2021 with the Tennessee Smokies of the Double-A South and was promoted to the Iowa Cubs of the Triple-A East in early June.[11] He was shut down in mid-August after pitching the most innings he had thrown since his junior year of high school.[12] Over 35 relief innings pitched between the two teams, Leeper went 4–3 with a 1.29 ERA and 53 strikeouts.[13] He was a non-roster invitee to spring training in 2022.[14] He returned to Iowa for the 2022 season.[15] Over 42 relief appearances, he went 3–3 with a 4.50 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 46 innings.[16]

On April 4, 2023, Leeper announced that he had undergone Tommy John surgery for the third time, and would miss the entire 2023 season as a result.[17] He returned action in 2024, making 13 rehab appearances split between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs, High-A South Bend Cubs, and Double-A Tennessee. Leeper made eight appearances for the Doubpe-A Knoxville Smokies in 2025, recording a 2.16 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 8+1⁄3 innings pitched. Leeper was released by the Cubs organization on August 8, 2025.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Dragons figure out Spielman to advance". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. May 5, 2014.
  2. ^ "All-area baseball: Kyler Murray, Kent Myers, among dual sport stars on first-team". Dallas News. June 18, 2014.
  3. ^ Hallie Hart (April 10, 2018). "Leeper throws career-high 6 strikeouts in loss to Wichita State". Ocolly.com.
  4. ^ Hadley, Robert (May 24, 2019). "After injuries sidelined him for two seasons, Texan Ben Leeper returns to the pitcher's mound for Oklahoma State". Texas Scorecard.
  5. ^ "Ben Leeper is flourishing in his new role". GoPokes.com.
  6. ^ Hart, Hallie (February 11, 2020). "'Unfinished business': Leeper enters fifth year with sights set on Omaha". ocolly.com.
  7. ^ Gillispie, Jimmy (April 11, 2019). "Leeper thriving as Cowboy closer". Stillwater News Press.
  8. ^ "Ben Leeper - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "Prospect Profile: How Did Ben Leeper Go From Undrafted FA to AAA Already?". June 8, 2021.
  10. ^ "OSU baseball: Ben Leeper signs with Cubs, other seniors return to Cowboys". Oklahoman.com. June 14, 2020.
  11. ^ Birch, Tommy. "'I felt like I had nothing left': How Iowa Cubs pitcher Ben Leeper defied odds after 2 Tommy John surgeries". Des Moines Register.
  12. ^ "2021 Season in Review: Iowa Cubs". CubsHQ.com. October 6, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  13. ^ "Cubs Prospect Focus: Ben Leeper". CubsHQ.com. December 30, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  14. ^ "Cubs announce 15 non-roster invitees for Spring Training 2022". March 13, 2022.
  15. ^ "Breaking down the 2022 Iowa Cubs opening day roster". The Des Moines Register.
  16. ^ "Ben Leeper Stats, Fantasy & News".
  17. ^ "Cubs Pitching Prospect Ben Leeper's Season Is Over". bleachernation.com. April 4, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  18. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-08-08
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