In the fall, Lake Travis fans quickly learned junior Kadyn Leon is an impressive athlete and competitor when he was thrust into the starting quarterback position after an injury and performed very well. Now they, along with opposing district coaches and hitters, are learning Leon is emerging as one of the best right-handed pitchers in the state. 

“Whatever season it is, I like [that] best,” said Leon with a smile when asked if he prefers football or baseball. 

Right now, he definitely is enjoying football season while opposing lineups aren’t enjoying much of anything when he’s on the mound. Following 4.0 no-hit innings with three walks and nine strikeouts in a shortened start against Austin High, the 2024 prospect hasn’t allowed a hit his last 11.0 innings after throwing a no-hitter at Dripping Springs the start prior. 

At the beginning of district play, Leon put the area on notice when back-to-back outstanding relief outings against loaded Westlake lineups and showed outstanding stuff, elite performance in big moments in tense environments and intriguing projection. Since then, he’s transitioned to become one of the top starting pitchers in the area and perhaps the state. 

“It’s been really nice. Last year, I was more of a relief guy on the varsity. Transition has been good; knowing how to [pace] myself and get through seven innings, keep my pitch count low,” said Leon after Lake Travis’ 8-0 win against Austin on Friday night. “But it’s been an easy transition.”

He’s certainly made it look easy. On a night when he didn’t have his best stuff and command, Leon still punched out nine of the 12 batters he faced and racked up a ridiculous 22 whiffs with his fastball. Leon’s background as a talented quarterback is one of the reasons why he naturally spins the baseball so well, which allowed his 89-92 MPH heater (held the velocity the entire outing) to routinely beat hitters even in fastball counts. In addition to his overhand curveball and changeup, Leon also showed an 86 MPH cutter/slider for the first time. 

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“That’s the first time I’ve thrown a cutter/slider hybrid. The fastball was there. I found it in the third inning, but mainly fastball and curveball if I needed it and lefties threw the changeup a little bit,” said the uncommitted right-hander. 

And attacking primarily with his heater doesn’t bother Leon one bit. Sure, he would have liked the type of stuff and command he showed earlier this season in front of Five Tool during both Westlake outings, where his curveball flashed as a plus pitch and his changeup above-average. But Leon likes attacking with his fastball. 

“Honestly, just a fastball heavy guy; just blow it by people. The curveball is there if I need it to keep hitters off balanced. Mainly, just a one-two guy with fastball and curveball,” he responded about what type of pitcher he is. 

Unsurprisingly, some big-time, high-major programs have taken notice of Leon’s success on the mound. Lake Travis has a track record of producing major pitching prospects and Leon looks like he’s next. So far this season, he’s 7-1 and has thrown 40.0 IP with a 0.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, .109 batting average against, 67 strikeouts and 24 walks. 

“Baseball right now I’m hearing from LSU, OU, Baylor, Texas, and Louisiana. I got an offer from Rice after the Westlake game,” responded Leon about recruiting. “Mainly LSU is heavy on me right now. Football not so much [recruiting interest] because last year was the first year I’ve played quarterback.”

Leon isn’t in a rush to make a decision and the list of suitors should continue to grow substantially.

“Just thinking and seeing which suits me best and which college will fit me best, where I can play. I don’t really think about it much. Just give it time and let it process,” he said about what matters most during the recruiting process. 

Considering Leon, who used to play basketball at Lake Travis, too, will be competing for the starting quarterback spot after throwing 22 touchdowns with just one interception last season, it makes what he’s doing on the mound even more impressive. Because anyone who knows football in Texas knows how big of a deal football is at Lake Travis, especially for a quarterback. 

“In the mornings, we have football workouts, and the games I’m not pitching, I go work out with them. After school, I go to baseball practice. It’s been easy,” Leon said about balancing the two sports. “With the two different arm slots, the football arm slot during the season I can spin it really [well], and when it comes to baseball I throw a lot so I can find the fastball and stuff. It’s been an easy transition.”

Once baseball season ends, Leon will immediately jump into 7-on-7 football for Lake Travis while also playing some in the summer. But if he continues to perform on the mound like he has, Lake Travis could make a run at a state championship with a pitching staff boosted by Leon, ACU signee OJ Gonzalez, Alabama signee Jackson Baker and more. 

Scout’s Take
After accidentally seeing Leon during the 2022 season when he was bumped up from JV for an inning in a varsity game, I’ve been a longtime fan of his upside because of his athleticism, competitiveness, physical projection, feel for pitching and stuff. Because Leon can truly spin an overhand hook with high spin rates off his fingertips, the shape of the pitch and its consistency does come-and-go at times because that’s not an easy thing to master; against Westlake, it flashed as a future plus weapon whereas it didn’t have the same shape and velocity (was harder, more firm around 73-76 MPH) against Austin High. Regardless, it’s a promising pitch and his changeup is thrown with conviction and profiles as a neutralizer against lefties. 

READ: Dustin's Deep Drives discusses Leon, Lake Travis and more

Leon’s ability to hold his velocity might be what stands out most. I’ve seen him touch 93 MPH and also seen him hold his stuff after very long delays between innings, on cold nights and in back-to-back days with extended, multiple-inning relief appearances. It’s easy velocity with carry through the zone and often beats hitters even when they know it’s coming. The walk rate is a bit high currently, but he's a good athlete with an easy delivery and a good bet to throw strikes in the future.  

Looking ahead, Leon will definitely be in the updated 2024 Five Tool 55 after making the ‘Just Missed’ list when the list debuted. He profiles as a potential Friday night starter at a top D1 program and should be scouted by professional scouts this summer and next spring. Right now, he looks to be around 6-0/6-1 and 165 pounds. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor