Dylan Lesko

Dylan Lesko
Tampa Bay Rays
Pitcher
Born: (2003-09-07) September 7, 2003 (age 22) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Dylan Joseph Lesko (born September 7, 2003) is an American baseball pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

Amateur career

Lesko attended Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. In 2021, he became the first junior to win the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year after going 11–0 with a 0.35 earned run average (ERA) with 112 strikeouts in 60 innings.^[1][2] He was also named the Gwinnett Daily Post Baseball Pitcher of the Year.^[3][4] During the summer of 2021, he combined with other pitchers to throw a no-hitter in the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park.^[5]

Lesko committed to Vanderbilt University to play college baseball.^[6] His senior baseball season in 2022 ended when he tore the UCL in his pitching elbow, an injury that required Tommy John surgery, which he underwent on April 26 and was expected to sideline him until 2024.^[7]

Professional career

San Diego Padres

Lesko was considered the top pitcher available in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft before the season started.^[8] Despite his recent Tommy John surgery, San Diego Padres selected Lesko in the first round, with the 15th overall selection, of the draft.^[9] Lesko signed with the Padres for a $3.9 million signing bonus, forgoing his commitment to Vanderbilt.^[10]

Lesko returned to play and made his professional debut in 2023, splitting the year between the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Padres, Single–A Lake Elsinore Storm, and High–A Fort Wayne TinCaps. In 12 total starts, he accumulated a 1–5 record and 5.45 ERA with 52 strikeouts across 33 innings pitched. ^[11] Lesko was assigned back to Fort Wayne to open the 2024 season.^[12]

Tampa Bay Rays

On July 28, 2024, Lesko, Homer Bush Jr., and J.D. Gonzalez were traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jason Adam.^[13] The Rays assigned him to the High–A Bowling Green Hot Rods. Over 22 games (19 starts) between Fort Wayne and Bowling Green, Lesko went 2-12 with a 6.96 ERA, 100 strikeouts, and 75 walks over 84 innings.^[14] Lesko returned to Bowling Green to open the 2025 season.^[15]

References

1. "Vanderbilt baseball commit Dylan Lesko wins Gatorade National Player of the Year award". The Tennessean.
2. "Buford's Dylan Lesko named 2020-21 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year". Northgwinnettvoice.com. 7 July 2021.
3. "BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Buford's Dylan Lesko". Gwinnettdailypost.com. 22 June 2021.
4. "Buford's Dylan Lesko named Gatorade Georgia Baseball Player of the Year". Gwinnettdailypost.com. 29 June 2021.
5. "Dylan Lesko, Luke Heyman Star as East Pitches a No-Hitter in Perfect Game All-American Classic". Baseballamerica.com. 23 August 2021.
6. "Buford pitching ace Dylan Lesko commits to Vanderbilt University". Northgwinnettvoice.com. 22 November 2020.
7. McDaniel, Kiley (June 14, 2022). "How one pitching prospect could change the MLB draft forever -- by not pitching". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
8. "Top Baseball Draft Prospects". MLB.com.
9. "Padres pick prep pitcher Dylan Lesko in first round of MLB Draft". Sandiegouniontribune.com. 18 July 2022.
10. "Callis: Padres agree with first 3 picks". Mlb.com. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
11. "Salas, Lesko form formidable duo on and off field". milb.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
12. Sinn, Dylan (April 5, 2024). ""Fully healthy" Dylan Lesko primed for breakout season in Fort Wayne". Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
13. "Rays get prospect haul after trades of Adam (Padres) and Paredes (Cubs)". MLB.com.
14. "Dylan Lesko Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
15. "Here's where Rays' top prospects will open the 2025 season". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-10-18.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors)